Malicious, false, and defamatory

The allegation of Benhur Luy that my office or I, personally, received dirty money as kickback from the disbursement of the Priority Development Assistance Fund allotted to my office in 2003 or at any other time is utterly malicious, completely false, and thoroughly defamatory of my reputation.

The Mon Arcenas your item referred to, I found out, had been working with a bank, not with me, and had no power, authority, or permission to solicit, ask for, demand, and, much less, receive any amount as commission, kickback, or any other form or manner in relation to PDAF releases from my office.

—NENE PIMENTEL