Solon denies dipping hand in pork scam

This refers to the banner story of the July 15 issue of the Inquirer under the byline of Nancy C. Carvajal, which mentioned the lawmakers allegedly involved in the pork barrel scam purportedly traded by Janet Lim-Napoles since 2006 through 2011. I would like to make it very clear that the report, as far as it refers to me, is entirely false. The documents that I purportedly signed are forged and falsified.

On Jan. 26, 2012, the Commission on Audit (COA), through Assistant Commissioner Carmela S. Perez, sent my office a letter inquiring about the authenticity of my signatures in some documents pertaining to the release of my Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in favor of Masaganang Ani Para Sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. In response to that request, I examined the documents, particularly the signatures appearing over the printed name “Hon. Rodolfo G. Valencia,” and found these were falsified and forged. In fact, I requested the COA to investigate Masaganang Ani Para Sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. and to have its officers prosecuted should they be found guilty. However, I received no response from the COA. (Representative Valencia attached copies of the Jan. 26, 2012 COA letter and his reply to the COA, dated Feb. 13, 2012.)

I will be glad to provide the Inquirer with other pieces of evidence regarding this matter to clear my name of this false allegation.

—RODOLFO G. VALENCIA