MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Saturday said the Department of Justice (DOJ) should look into the alleged involvement of lawmakers in the irregularities hounding the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“Mayroong tinatawag na parliamentary courtesy, kaya pinakamaganda niyan ay DOJ,” Sotto told radio station DWIZ when asked about the probe for DPWH corruption.
(We have what we call the parliamentary courtesy, so it is better for DOJ to investigate that.)
The Senate leadership said the upper chamber may start an inquiry in aid of legislation that would lead to the crafting of a law to prevent corruption in the DPWH.
“Hindi kami magiimbestiga, gagawa kami ng inquiry in aid of legislation. Anong legislation ang pwedeng gagawin para hindi na mangyari iyan,” Sotto said.
(We won’t investigate. We will create an inquiry in aid of legislation. What legislation must we create so that this will not happen again.)
Public Works Secretary Mark Villar ordered a task force to probe the allegations of corruption claims in his department.
Senator Panfilo Lacson previously revealed that lump sum appropriations under the DPWH valued at over P396 billion is in the proposed national budget for next year.
Name names in DPWH anomaly
Sotto also pressed that the names of those involved in the corruption alegations should be disclosed.
Kailangan ilabas natin iyan. Kailangan dahil papaano matitigil iyan kung hindi mo ilalantad? Sino sino sa public works ang gumagawa niyan? Sino sino iyan? Ano ang ebidensya na ginawa nila iyan. Iyon ang importante para matigil once and for all,”
(We need to reveal the names. How can we stop this if you won’t reveal it? Who are the corrupt officials in public works? Who are they? What are the pieces of evidence? That is important so that this corruption can stop once and for all.)
“Ang nangyayari diyan, ay nangyayari sa ilalim ng ilong natin,” he added.
(It has been happening under our noses, all this time.)
As Senate President, Sotto believes none of his colleagues are involved in the DPWH anomalies.
“Wala akong nakikita, wala akong nakikita sa dalawampu’t tatlong senador na katulad na binibintang na naririnig ko sa dyaryo ngayon,” he said in response to a query about possible involvement of senators in DPWH corruption.
(None of the 23 senators are involved in the allegations disclosed in newspapers.)
However, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) earlier revealed that they will not disclose the names of legislators tagged in the DPWH corruption because it could affect the investigation.