Image courtesy of www.philstar.com
Source: www,gmanetwork.com
GMA broadcaster and consultant for Radio Operations Mike Enriquez on Sunday denied any involvement in the Priority Development Assistance Fund scam that allegedly siphoned billions of pesos in government funds into the pockets of public officials and other individuals.
“Magkahalong galit at lungkot [ang nararamdaman ko.] Hindi totoo yun,” Enriquez said in an interview that was aired on GMA News TV’s Balitanghali.
“Bakit gagawin ito sa isang katulad ko, na wala namang ginagawa? Isa lang akong anchorman, isang mamamahayag lang na walang ginagawa,” he added.
Enriquez’ denial came after the Philippine Daily Inquirer published a report saying Benhur Luy, the primary whistleblower in the pork barrel scam, has a list of media workers who also received a cut from the stolen funds.
According to the Inquirer, the list was part of Luy's files, which were on a hard disk that was brought to the newspaper's offices by Luy's parents on April 27, 2013—more than one year ago.
Luy is currently seeking immunity after alleged pork scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles applied to turn state witness.
Enriquez questions list
The report said that Enriquez in 2004 received P50,000 as a “birthday gift” from Napoles. It added that a certain Mon Arroyo, a former television director, received the money for Enriquez.
But while he admitted that he knows Arroyo, Enriquez said he has never benefited from the scam. He added that he hasn’t seen Arroyo in decades.
Enriquez also questioned the authenticity of Luy's list, saying it was unsigned.
“Alam kong di yun totoo, [dahil] walang pirma. Sabi nila nasa file daw, pero walang pirma. Pag walang pirma [ang affidavit,] madaling magdagdag o magbawas. Pwede ako magsulat sa kahit anong napkin tapos sabihin kong listahan yun,” he said.
In a statement from Enriquez published by the Inquirer, the veteran newscaster said he abides by GMA’s strict code of ethics.
“People who know me personally and those whom I associate with professionally know very well that both my personal and professional conduct is in strict adherence to the GMA code of ethics and to the values of hard and honest work, decent living and service to God and country,” the statement said.
In a statement released Sunday afternoon, GMA Network said it does not have any reason to doubt Enriquez's statements.
"Mr. Enriquez has always adhered to the high level of professionalism required by GMA and it stands by him in the face of these baseless charges," it said.
Mon Arroyo
In an unsigned affidavit emailed to GMA News Online and vetted by GMA Network’s legal team, Arroyo said he met Napoles between the years 2003 and 2004.
He denied receiving any money from the pork scam, either for himself or for the media personalities mentioned by Luy. However, he did admit to working with Napoles as a consultant.
“I did not receive any money other than my consultancy fees. I did not receive any money for and in behalf of any other person,” Arroyo said, adding that he stopped working with the Napoleses when no project materialized after a year.
“After about a year, I ended my consultancy with JLN Inc., since there was no entertainment projects that was launched. From [that] time on, I had no further dealings with Jenny Napoles, Ben-Hur Luy [sic] or JLN, Inc,” he said.
According to Arroyo, when they met, Napoles initially wanted to engage his services for several planned entertainment projects.
“Sometime around 2003-2004 I was brought to Discovery Suites and I was introduced by Mr. Anthony Dequina to Ms. Janet Lim Napoles, who introduced herself by her nickname 'Jenny'. During our initial meeting I was told by her that her corporation JLN inc., would have entertainment projects soon and that he was interested to retain my services,” he said in his affidavit.
Arroyo also said it was Luy who was in charge of paying him his consultant fees.
“I was retained as a consultant for JLN Inc. entertainment projects. As a consultant, I came to know a certain Ben-Hur Luy who was responsible for disbursing our consultant fees,” he said.
Korina denies involvement
Other than Enriquez, ABS-CBN news anchor Korina Sanchez was also named in the report as having received a P50,000 cash gift through Arroyo.
In a statement published in full by the Inquirer, Sanchez, who is also the wife of Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, denied any involvement in the scam.
“I am astounded to learn that I was supposed to have received a birthday gift from her one time 10 years ago in 2004. This never happened. I did not receive any such gift, in cash or kind, from Ms Napoles or her company nor through emissaries then and up to now,” she said, adding that she only met members of the Napoles family in an interview in connection with the PDAF scam.
Sanchez admitting to knowing Arroyo, but added that she has not seen him for more than a decade.
“I know a Mon Arroyo who is an ex-husband of a high school classmate but I have not seen nor spoken nor heard of this person since he and my friend separated more than 10 years ago,” she said.
Other names on the list
The report also named radio personalities Deo Macalma, Rey Pacheco and DJ Bon Vivar and hinted that another media personality collected more than P2 million from officials of the National Agribusiness Corporation. However, the paper refused to name him for lack of documentary evidence.
GMA News is trying to reach the other broadcasters named on Luy's list for comment.
.jpg)
.png)
.JPG)
