MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) will look into the alleged “tongpats” scheme within the Department of Agriculture (DA) in the importation of pork and come up with a report and recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte.
PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said Thursday that in fact, they already started their investigation in December last year and will issue subpoenas.
It was Senator Panfilo Lacson who bared the racket in DA where kickbacks can reach up to P6 billion if the proposal to lower the tariffs and increase import allocation on such products is approved by the President.
“PACC will investigate. In fact, we have already started the investigation last December 2020. The PACC issued a resolution to conduct motu propio investigation on the alleged corruption in pork importation and will issue the corresponding subpoena,” Belgica told INQUIRER.net in a text message.
“Maling mali po ‘yan. Pandemya na, pagnanakawan pa ang bayan. Pasensyahan po tayo. PACC will submit its report and recommendation to the President,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said they already formed a panel to look into these allegations of corruption in pork importation.
Despite criticisms towards DA from some senators over the scheme, Malacañang said Dar continues to enjoy Duterte’s trust.