- President Benigno S. Aquino III denied the accusation that he also benefitted in the pork barrel fund scam.
- Former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto "Jing" Paras.
- The former Chief Executive also dismissed the possibility of Napoles becoming a state witness.
Former President Benigno S. Aquino III on Wednesday denied the accusation that he also benefitted in the pork barrel fund scam allegedly masterminded by businesswoman and alleged mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.
At a news conference in Quezon City, Aquino said it was impossible for him to have been involved in the misuse of congressional funds during a period when he was still a member of the opposition.
"Parang napakahirap naman sagutin niyan, napakaabsurdo 'no. Nung time na ginagawa niya yang scheme na 'yan e ako yung nasa oposisyon," Aquino said.
"So yung nasa oposisyon ang nag-utos dun sa nakaupo nung panahon na 'yun na kalaban nila na pahintulutan itong scheme na nangyaring 'to?" he added.
Former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto "Jing" Paras had earlier claimed that Napoles, who is facing plunder charges before the Sandiganbayan, informed him that Aquino was among those who received commissions from her.
Aquino said only those dreaming wide awake can believe the claims made against him.
"Kung merong maniniwala dun baka dapat manigurado siyang gising na muna siya bago siya nagiiisip dahil mahirap yung naglalakad at nananaginip na nakadilat ang mata," he said.
The former Chief Executive also dismissed the possibility of Napoles becoming a state witness as regards the plunder cases in connection with the pork scam.
Aquino said Napoles could only become a state witness if her camp proves that she is the least guilty in the misuse of public funds of which she is one of the alleged masterminds.
"Ngayon ang question lang dito, itong taong to nasa gitna e. Sa pagkakaunawa natin dito sa pangyayaring to siya yung naghanda nung, parang nagcoordinate ng lahat ng dapat magkutsabahan para mangyari yung PDAF scam," Aquino said.
"Parang ang hirap intindihin na hindi siya yung magiging isa sa dun sa pinakaprincipal, na hindi puwedeng gawing state witness," he added.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has said her office will block any move to use Napoles as a state witness in the planned reinvestigation of the controversial pork barrel scam.
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