MANILA - Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon and former Oriental Mindoro congressman Rodolfo Valencia on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to their graft, malversation and direct bribery charges in connection with the pork barrel scam.

READ: Biazon, 4 other ex-solons face raps over PDAF scam

Biazon and Valencia were separately arraigned at the Sandiganbayan 7th Division after their motions for judicial determination of probable cause were denied last August.

Biazon was accused of receiving P1.9-million kickbacks after diverting P3 million of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to non-government organizations owned by businesswoman Janet Lim Napoles, a supposed key player in the scam.

Meanwhile, Valencia allegedly got P2.4 million in kickbacks from the scam. The Ombudsman said his P6.510 million PDAF was used to fund ghost projects.

FORGERY

Before the arraignment, Valencia's counsel asked the court to reverse the earlier ruling of finding grounds to try Valencia.

Lawyer Karl Steven Co said prosecution witness Benhur Luy already admitted to forging Valencia's signatures.

But the Sandiganbayan outrightly denied his appeal.

Justice Alex Gesmundo said forgery is just one of the issues raised in the case. He added, the Sandiganbayan--as part of its duties-- already looked at the entire records before setting his arraignment.

"[Valencia] cited an isolated portion of the [Ombudsman] resolution. In resolving...the whole resolution must be taken into account," Justice Gesmundo said in open court.

Despite this, Valencia twice reiterated his argument during the arraignment.

"Your Honors, the prosecution witness admitted forging signatures, so I'm not guilty your Honors,'' Valencia told Sandiganbayan.

BIAZON

Biazon, who was elected to the House of Representatives last May, said he is ready to prove his innocence.

"I have faith in the judicial system. I have faith in my defense and I am faithful as well that we will be able to clear our name," Biazon said.

He also assured the pork barrel scam cases will not affect his performance in Congress, adding his legal battle even "drives [him] to perform better."

"Itong mga issues na ito (These issues), I've been facing it. My constituents recognize the work I have done in the past. I overwhelmingly won in that election and now I'm doing my job in Congress. It doesn't not affect my job in Congress," Biazon added.