Graft rap filed vs anti-corruption commissioner Belgica

MANILA, Philippines – Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica is facing a graft complaint for allegedly leading an illegal raid against two Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) employees.

According to the complaint filed by Kilusang Pagbabago chair Monalie Dizon before the Office of the Ombudsman, Belgica had no business in the raid as both of the government workers are employed below Salary Grade 26 — which runs contrary to PACC’s mandate.

“All his acts are without the authority of the Commission.  Further, the subject of the entrapment are two officials of the BIR whose positions are below grade 26, thus are not within the jurisdiction of PACC as provided under Section 5 (a), hence Belgica’s act was contrary to law,” Dizon said in her nine-page affidavit.

She also claimed that Belgica went to the raid armed with a gun, allegedly in a bid to gain popularity to back his political ambitions.

“In his eagerness to attain publicity for himself he tipped the media to cover the raid and entrapment for the purpose of serving his personal interest of maximum publicity for him thus enhancing his popularity to the public and thereby fulfill his ambition to become a Senator of the Republic,” Dizon explained.

“Coupled with the fact that he, like an actor in a movie, took possession of a firearm and play-acted as if he was about to do a shooting match with the alleged criminals,” she added.

Aside from the graft complaint, Dizon also sued Belgica for malfeasance and usurpation of authority, as he acted as PACC’s authorized representative when he requested the National Bureau of Investigation to deploy its personnel.

Dizon also mentioned another case where Belgica supposedly spearheaded another raid against a fixer who operates at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for a transport network vehicle service (TNVS).  She said that Belgica again tipped the media for his own benefit.

“The acts of Belgica where he conducted two raids and entrapment operations without the knowledge and authority of the Commission which constitute graft and corruption, malfeasance and usurpation of authority are grounds for the commission of grave misconduct,” she explained.

“He chose personal interest over public interest […] which is to attain publicity in the entrapment operation as he has alerted the media to cover his operation in spite of the fact that the operation was not sanctioned by the Commission,” Dizon added.

In reaction, Belgica told INQUIRER.net that he would answer Dizon’s accusations later.

Belgica was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as PACC commissioner last  January 2018, along with other commissioners and PACC chair Dante Jimenez.  Prior to joining the government, Belgica made a senatorial bid in 2013, where he landed on the 27th spot.