Miriam blows top over 'Tanda, Sexy, Pogi'

MANILA – Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago blew her top several times during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the P10 billion pork barrel scam. During her opening statement, Santiago said she does not believe that Napoles needed a lawyer from the Public Attorney’s Office since the alleged pork scam mastermind could afford a lawyer. She said that upon looking at Napoles, she now knows "things will make you quarrel with your husband.” The senator reminded Napoles: “Igagalang kita bilang akusado. I will not bully you. I will not attempt to outshout you. I hope you give me the same courtesy by telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” During questioning, Napoles repeatedly invoked her right against self-incrimination when asked if “Tanda” is Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile, “Sexy” is Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and “Pogi” is Sen. Bong Revilla. The nicknames were coined by the pork scam whistle-blowers for senators who allegedly received the pork barrel kickbacks. "Sino pa ba ang matanda dito sa Senado kundi si Enrile? Sabi niya 89 years old siya. Pero hindi natin sigurado. Baka 99 siya o baka 109 na siya dahil nagde-dementia na siya lalo na pag tungkol sa akin," Sen. Santiago asked Napoles. The senator, however, was irked when Napoles invoked her right when asked who she talked to about the plunder case she is facing in connection with the scam. “Sino lang kausap mo I invoke my right? Ah. Tapos na Halloween. Wala na ang mga multo,” Santiago said. ANC, November 7, 2013