Drilon wants charges filed vs Ligots

Senator Franklin Drilon on Tuesday recommended that anti-graft charges and forfeiture cases be filed against former military comptroller Jacinto Ligot, his wife Erlinda, and Ligot’s brother-in-law Edgardo Yambao. In an opening statement during the hearing on the alleged corruption in the military, Drilon asked the Blue Ribbon Committee to include in its recommendations the filing of anti-graft charges against the three. He likewise asked that the Ligots' undeclared properties revealed during the course of the inquiry be included in the forfeiture cases earlier filed against them. “Our people have grown tired and weary of Senate investigations that led to nowhere because of the failure of the Ombudsman to file cases against those involved in corruption scandals. However, this time, we will not disappoint the Filipino people," Drilon said. The Senate had earlier cited the Ligot couple for contempt after they snubbed a previous committee hearing and “falsely" reported that they were sick. Mr. Ligot was then arrested and detained at the Senate premises. His wife was not arrested for “humanitarian reasons," according to Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, citing her “health problems."

During previous hearings, the Ligots have repeatedly refused to answer questions from senators and invoked their right against self-incrimination. But Drilon warned the two that the more they evade questions, the more trouble they will get into. “We are not playing games here. If you continue to do that, the more you fuel the anger of our people," he said. Denial During Tuesday’s proceedings, Mr. Ligot denied that they faked their illnesses to skip the previous hearing. “Gusto ko lang ipabatid sa lahat na hindi po ako nagsinungaling (I want to tell you that I did not lie)," he said. He appealed to the senators to release him, saying that he and his wife have always cooperated with the committee by attending the previous hearings. Mrs. Ligot, for her part, said they did not mean to snub or disrespect the Senate. She said the senators should understand the kind of scrutiny that they have been getting since the beginning of the inquiry. “Kami rin ay taong marunong masaktan at may karapatang mamuhay nang matiwasay (We also get hurt. We have the right to live peacefully)," she said. Senate Minority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, however, told her that despite what she feels, they, the senators, have to “know the truth." “We want to show compassion to you but you have to give us something," he said. Mrs. Ligot agreed to answer the senators’ questions. The hearing was ongoing as of posting time. - KBK, GMA News