A HIGH-RANKING House leader yesterday dismissed as a fantasy story compiled in “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” (The Stories of Grandmother Basyang) the accusation of impeached Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona’s lawyers that Malacañang has been dangling P100 million in pork barrel funds to buy the support of each senator as a public prosecutor viewed this as an attempt for his camp to set the stage for a walkout in the impeachment court.

House Majority Leader and Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II asked the defense lawyers if they are trying to revive the series of stories for children under “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” when it made the baseless statement that senators will defy a SC order barring the impeachment court from looking into Corona’s dollar account in exchange of P100 million for the soft projects of each senator-judge.

“Nagbalik pala ‘Ang Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang’,” said Gonzales, referring to hit children stories before which were given life in magazine, comics, television, cinema and books during its glory days.

“Like the most often used objection of former Justice (Serafin) Cuevas, it is hearsay. I think it was meant to pressure the senators. This is designed to influence the senators in deciding the issue in the defense favor. This is contemptuous at the very least,” Gonzales added.

In a hastily called press conference Sunday night, a statement read by Atty. Dennis Manalo, a member of defense panel, identified Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa as the one calling the senators while Atty. Jose Roy III, also a member of the defense team, said Malacañang was dangling “P100 million per senator” to be released this week which Palace officials, including Ochoa denied vehemently.   Ryan Ponce Pacpaco