MANILA, Philippines — Less than 12 congressmen are included in the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission’s (PACC) list of government officials allegedly involved in corruption within the Department of Works and Highways (DPWH).
PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica disclosed this Wednesday, adding that the names of those congressmen were already submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Yung exact number is less than 12 ang alam kong na-i-submit sa Pangulo na nakita namin after validation. Kailangan talaga maimbestigahan ito ng pormal,” Belgica said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ “The Source.”
(The exact number is less than 12 that was submitted to the President after validation. This really needs formal investigation.)
“We need solid evidence, we need probably forensic,” he added.
He then recounted the testimony of witnesses: “Meron pong nagsasabi, example, na paulit-ulit na pino-pondohan na tulay. Mayroon sinasabi na ghost project. Mayroon nagsabi na siya mismo ang hinihingian [ng kickback].”
(Someone said, for example, that a bridge was being repeatedly funded. Someone said about a ghost project. Someone said that he himself was being asked for kickbacks.)
On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that he was given a list of names allegedly involved in corruption in DPWH.
While the President said he was aware that some lawmakers were receiving payoffs from DPWH projects, Duterte also said he could not investigate them because he has no jurisdiction over them since they belong to another branch of government – the legislative.
Instead, Duterte said he would refer the information he received to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Belgica, meanwhile, echoed the President’s pronouncement, saying the PACC could not investigate the lawmakers.
“The PACC is only authorized to investigate presidential appointees. Our authority is to help the President investigate corrupt presidential appointees,” he said.
“And we are only authorized to recommend to him necessary charges that can be done,” he added.
KGA
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