House to conduct own probe vs Puno, says solon

Rico Puno. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the resignation of Rico E. Puno from the Department of Interior and Local Government, the committee on public order and safety at the House of Representatives will pursue investigations into allegations against the former DILG undersecretary.

Cebu Representative Pablo John Garcia, chairman of the panel, said that resignation did not mean that Puno was off the hook.

He said that they would launch an inquiry once the House finished its deliberations on the proposed 2013 national budget.

The Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes and laws led by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago will be conducting an investigation on Puno this Friday.

Puno recently came under fire for his alleged attempt to enter the condominium unit of the late Jesse Robredo who was then chief of the DILG. He has also been tagged in anomalous transactions in the Philippine National Police and the illegal numbers game “jueteng”.