Duterte names lawmakers linked to corruption but says ‘no hard evidence’
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday bared the names of lawmakers included in the list made by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission’s (PACC) of government officials allegedly involved in corruption.
Before reading their names, the President noted that inclusion in the list does not mean there is hard evidence against them.
“The public should be aware that there is no hard evidence, that it cannot be translated by just reading the names that they are already guilty because presumption of innocence would like all throughout until conviction or acquittal,” Duterte said in a pre-recorded speech.
“I just want to assure everybody that yung pagbasa sa pangalan ninyo is a condemnation or indictment that you are guilty of something. In the same manner that I would tell people, do not take it as gospel truth na totoo talaga ito,” he went on.
(From top, clockwise) Reps. Angelina Tan, Henry Oaminal, Josephine Sato, Eric Yap, Geraldine Roman and Alfredo Paolo Vargas.
Named by the President are the following lawmakers who are supposedly involved in corruption:
- Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Sato
- Former Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr.
- Quezon City 5th District Rep. Alfredo Paolo Vargas
- Misamis Occidental 2nd District Rep. Henry Oaminal
- Isabela 4th District Rep. Alyssa Sheena P. Tan
- Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza
- Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina Helen Tan
- ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap
- Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman
Last month, Duterte refused to name the lawmakers who were allegedly linked to corruption, saying he has no jurisdiction over them given that they belong to another branch of government.
PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica had disclosed that less than 12 congressmen were allegedly involved in corruption within the Department of Works and Highways (DPWH).
/MUF
