MANILA - What is former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's involvement in the Malampaya fund scam? According to Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, businesswoman and pork scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles got wind of the Malampaya fund as early as July 2009. On October 8, 2009, the Department of Budget and Management wrote to Malacañang seeking permission to use part of the Malampaya fund for farmers affected by tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng. On October 13, 2009, the Palace issued Executive Order No. 848 allowing the DBM to use the Department of Energy's special funds for any project authorized by Mrs. Arroyo. De Lima said the hastily issued EO "invalidly liberalized the exploitation of the Malampaya fund for purposes not contemplated by existing laws." She also noted that one of those charged is Ruby Tuason, who allegedly received P242.775 million in kickbacks for a still unidentified principal. Tuason, who is the former social secretary of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, is the alleged contact of Napoles in the offices of Senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada. Tuason's husband is a cousin of former first gentleman Mike Arroyo. ANC HEADSTART, OCTOBER 4, 2013
