This refers to the news item titled “Napoles got mayor’s letters” (Front Page, 8/4/13).
In behalf of my former colleagues at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Tarlac Chapter (2004-2007)—namely, Harmes S. Sembrano (Gerona), Dionisio L. Manuel (La Paz), Tito G. Razalan (Mayantoc), Gregoria J. Manglicmot (Ramos), Vicente G. Pacada Jr. (San Clemente), Samuel L. Eugenio (San Jose), Reynaldo G. Modomo (Sta. Ignacia), and Emmanuel L. Guiam (Victoria) who were among the municipal mayors mentioned as having to do with the reported P10-billion pork barrel scam—I wish to inform the Inquirer that we do not know personally Janet Lim-Napoles or Eddie Baddeo, and neither did we transact business of any kind with them.
For us to seek financial assistance from senators or congressmen or any government agencies was but customary. This we had to do so that we could sustain our financial capabilities in the implementation of projects deemed necessary.
On how our letters of request, if ever there were, fell into the hands of Napoles, that was beyond our knowledge and control. Besides, there were no records to show, as attested to by our municipal treasurer and budget officer, that we were in receipt of the allocation referred to.
We hope that this letter will clear our names of any wrong impressions the news item may have created.
—ESTELITA M. AQUINO,
former LMP president, Tarlac Chapter