MANILA - Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, the husband of Sharon Cuneta, released a statement explaining the veteran star's decision to perform inside the New Bilibid Prison back in 2012, as spotlighted in a congressional hearing Tuesday.

"On July 10, 2012, Sharon went to the New Bilibid Prison for the taping of her talk show, 'Kasama Mo Kapatid,' which had an episode featuring the life of inmates," Pangilinan said.

"She sang four songs for the closing portion, which is the customary format of the show. She sang 'Maging Sino Ka Man,' 'Tubig at Langis,' 'Kahit Konting Pagtingin,' and 'Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko' but only to support RockEd's outreach program for prisoners."

RockEd Philippines founder Gang Badoy earlier confirmed Cuneta's performance, adding that her volunteer group has been organizing concerts at the correctional facility since 2007.

"Sharon was so kind and generous to the inmates," said Badoy on her Twitter account.

In Tuesday's house probe into the alleged proliferation of drugs at the national penitentiary during the stint of Senator Leila de Lima as Justice secretary, one of the six witnesses bared names of celebrities, which included Cuneta, who performed for drug lords and inmates.

The witness claimed that these drug lords and inmates at the maximum security enjoyed various perks and privileges supposedly due to lax supervision from De Lima and the Bureau of Corrections.

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