MANILA, Philippines – The Aquino administration played no role in the return to the country of Jessica “Gigi” Reyes, the controversial former chief of staff of Senator Juan Ponce Enrile who faces charges over the multi-billion-peso pork barrel scam, Malacanang said on Monday, April 21.

Reyes, who left the country in 2013 when she was implicated in the biggest corruption scandal in recent Philippine history, returned to the Philippines early Saturday, April 19.

Responding to questions on Reyes’ return, Coloma said the administration has “no specific focus” on anyone, rather a general priority to find out the truth and to hold accountable those guilty of pocketing government money.

“What’s important is that the nation finds out the whole truth because the issue here is the use of the country’s funds,” he said.

The statement comes after at least one senator insinuated the Palace had a hand in Reyes’ return.

Coloma said based on public statements made by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, the justice department had no talks with Reyes.

He also insisted the administration would not force Reyes to tell all or do anything she herself does not want to do.

“We will just wait for the proper process of law. We have no project to force her to speak or to convince her to do anything that is not of her own initiative,” he said.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed 3 separate plunder indictments against 3 senators – Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr, Juan Ponce Enrile, and Jinggoy Estrada – alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles, and 6 others, before the Sandiganbayan. Reyes is among those facing charges.

‘We will follow the law’

Coloma emphasized there would be no special treatment for Reyes nor any concerted effort by the Palace to keep her in the country.

He said the administration would continue to follow the law – including not issuing a hold departure order (HDO) against Reyes “because the Department of Justice has no power to issue an HDO.”

Coloma insisted “the government has done what it could when the Department of Justice included her name in the list of those alleged to have played a role (in the pork barrel scam).”

The rest is up to the Ombudsman, he said.

Reyes is accused of signing documents that facilitated the release of Enrile’s Priority Development Assistance Fund or PDAF to fake non-governmental organizations linked to Napoles.

She and Enrile have denied all allegations. – Rappler.com