Baligod doubts motive of potential witness

MANILA - Lawyer Levito Baligod on Wednesday said he doubts the motives of a potential new witness in the alleged P10 billion pork barrel scam. Speaking to radio DZMM, Baligod said the potential witness had sent feelers last year about testifying in the scam. He questioned why the new witness would come out now after remaining silent last year. "Sinabihan ko po na: 'Kung gusto mong lumutang, agahan mo.' Pero ngayon parang nawalan na tayo ng interes dahil lumalabas na motibo ay para makalusot lang siya dahil lumalakas ang ebidensya laban sa kanila. Ayaw naman natin na ganun ang motibo nila," he said in the interview. A Philippine Star report earlier quoted a source as saying that Pauline Labayen, the former appointments staff of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, would surface and testify. Meanwhile, Baligod said it is up to the Department of Justice to ascertain the credibility of Ruby Tuason, the former social secretary of ex-President Joseph Estrada and the alleged conduit of kickbacks for Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Juan Ponce Enrile. He noted that Tuason confirmed the earlier testimonies and gave more information about the alleged kickbacks to Estrada. In her affidavit, Tuason said Estrada received up to P35 million in kickbacks from the scam. RADIO DZMM, February 12, 2014