MANILA, Philippines — Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano said Wednesday he sees “no problem” if the House of Representatives will conduct an investigation on the alleged involvement of some of its members in corrupt activities.
In a press briefing, Paduano explained that in order for a motu proprio investigation to commence regarding the matter, the majority of the members of the House’s ethics committee should vote for it.
“Motu proprio should be decided by the majority of members of the ethics committee. And in the minority, walang problema sa amin ‘yan, just in case,” Paduano said.
“But of course… ang mas pinakamaganda is somebody has to file a case to a member or members of the House with regards to issue about corruption in relation to the investigation being conducted by the Department of Justice and PACC (Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission),” he added.
But Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin did not share the same sentiment as Paduano, saying that the House conducting an investigation on its own members would be a “waste of time.”
‘Not worth it’
“Sa pananaw ko, knowing the institution and having been in Congress for a long time before, sometimes, it’s not that worth it if we will be investigating colleagues lalo na kung marami,” Garin said.
“Investigating it in the House where the allegations are also pointing to colleagues, or members, or former members or other government officials… it will just be a waste of time and resources,” she added.
PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica has said that less than 12 congressmen are included in their list of officials allegedly involved in corruption within the Department of Works and Highways.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier bared that he was aware that some members of the House might have been getting kickbacks from contractors of government projects, but he could not investigate them as they belonged to a separate branch of government.
Instead, Duterte said he would refer the information he received to the Office of the Ombudsman.