Presidential candidate Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who is considered as the most consistent lawmakers in the country vowed to speed up the investigation and prosecution of cases against legislators involved in the controversial multi-billion Priority Development Assistant Fund (PDAF) scam.
Sen. Santiago who is also the most favorite presidential aspirant among college students in various parts of the Philippines and her track record in government service served as an advantage for her in fulfilling her promise to get rid of corruption.
According to the 70-year-old Sen. Santiago, the office of the Ombudsman so far charged only three senators and 11 former lawmakers since the pork barrel scam was exposed in 2013. The DOJ recommended charges against 24 lawmakers for their involvement in the racked of the alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.
During Sen. Miriam’s visit to Our Lady of Fatima University in Valenzuela City, she was quoted as saying “Once elected, I will expedite the investigation and prosecution of cases against those involved in the PDAF scam. If these corrupt politicians remain at large, they will return to power and again steal public funds,” Santiago said.
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago made the statement as the ombudsman affirmed its decision to indict six former lawmakers for graft in connection with the pork barrel scam.