Aquino shuns calls to sack Cabinet members in Napolist

President Benigno Aquino III says he will not fire any Cabinet official unless there is sufficient evidence of involvement in the corruption scandal

NO SACKING. President Benigno Aquino III says he will not fire any of his Cabinet secretaries unless there is sufficient evidence of the involvement with the pork barrel scam. File photo by Malacaang Photo Bureau

MANILA, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III did not attempt to hide his feelings about calls to fire his Cabinet secretaries who have been linked to the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam.

On Thursday, May 15, Aquino laughed off the call of his critics and said the most crucial question to ask is if there is adequate evidence against the concerned officials.

"The point here is I only have one official family. Do I trust them or not? What is the actual allegation against them?," Aquino told reporters at the sidelines of the inauguration of the San Carlos solar energy power plant in Negros Occidental.

"And I already promised the people and I think you've seen this when we have sufficient evidence, we will bring the case to court and that's what happened when we brought the information we had to the Ombudsman."

Aquino was referring to the plunder cases filed by the state against 3 senators and alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

The lawmakers are accused of channeling their Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to Napoles' bogus non-governmental organizations in exchange for hefty kickbacks. (READ: Pork tales and Navigating the PDAF scam affidavits)

Napoles has since volunteered information on the scam and offered names of others she transacted with in hopes of becoming a state witness. (READ: Napoles wants to be state witness De Lima)

The President was responding to questions on the list submitted by Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo Lacson to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee earlier this week, allegedly from Napoles herself.

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Aquino shuns calls to sack Cabinet members in Napolist