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Serge wants Napoles’ Senate testimony moved to Nov 18

Rappler.com

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'More than half' of Senate members may not attend the hearing scheduled for Nov 7 since Congress is on break, Serge says

RESET. Sen Serge Osmeña wants to move the Napoles Senate hearing from Nov 7 to Nov 18. Photo by Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines – “More than half” of the members of the Senate may not be able to attend the upcoming testimony of alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles before the Senate on November 7 since Congress is presently on break, Sen Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III said Sunday, November 3. 

Because of this, Osmeña asked the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, Sen Teofisto Guingona III, to move Napoles’ scheduled Senate appearance from November 7 to November 18, the resumption of Congress. 

Osmeña said he is “concerned” that “more than half” of the members of the Senate will be out of town on the date of the hearing. 

“Senators must have the opportunity to propound questions to Mrs. Napoles,” Osmeña said. “The credibility of the Senate would be enhanced by more openness and greater transparency.”

On October 21, the Senate finally decided to summon Napoles to testify before the Blue Ribbon Committee after much hesitation from some camps. (READ: Should Senate summon Napoles?)

Whistleblower Benhur Luy, Napoles’ former personal assistant, had testified before the Senate, where he revealed the extent of the scam allegedly operated by Napoles. (READ: Luy: Senators’ aides fetched cash from JLN)

A total of 38 individuals, including Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce-Enrile and Bong Revilla, are facing charges of plunder or corruption over the scam. – Rappler.com

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