I’M not for sale!

This was the statement of Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson regarding the disclosure of the defense panel on Malacañang P100 million attempted bribe for senators to follow the TRO of the Supreme Court to open the dollar account of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Lacson said this is an insult to the members of the impeachment court since the defense is trying to insinuate that the senator-judge can be bribe.

“Talagang offending ‘yan sa mga senador. Para bang we’re a bunch of people for sale, na may ida-dangle na P100-M at gawa noon magpapalit ang aming position whether or not i-defy ang TRO,” Lacson said.

“That’s not true at all. Sabi ko nga it’s pure rubbish. Ako mismo, paano offer-an  ng P100M in additional pork barrel e hindi ko nga kinukuha ang aking pork barrel? On that note alone mukhang talagang gawa-gawa lang ang istorya. As a matter of fact we will question them. Sinasabi nila meron silang source na ayaw nilang pangalanan. So how will we get to the bottom of this issue kung magsasabi sila ng ganitong information to the detriment of the senator judges, pagkatapos ’di naman natin ma-verify because they refuse to name their source or sources. It is so unfair,” Lacson added.

Meanwhile, Senators Judge Jingoy Estrada and Pia Cayetano said that the accusation is too malicious and the defense need to name their source, who offered the bribe and so far, who have been offered.

Senator Judge Chiz Escudero admitted having meet with Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa twice but no offer since it is not in the character of Sec. Ochoa to bribe somebody.

Majority of the senators have agreed to contempt the defense panel in case they refuse to name their source.