Senate to summon key DPWH exec over P8.7-B right-of-way scam

Sen. Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE

A Senate committee investigating the alleged P8.7-billion right-of-way scam in General Santos City will summon to its next hearing a ranking official of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to testify on what she knows about the alleged anomaly.

“Ang balita ko ang kausap ng legislators hindi and secretary. And kausap nila, planning. And kausap ng contract, planning. Kausap ng magke-claim ng right of way, planning,” Sen. Panfilo Lacson said during the committee’s hearing on Monday, referring to DPWH Undersecretary for Planning Ma. Catalina Cabral

“I’d like to move kung magkakaroon ng next hearing imbitahin natin ang planning,” Lacson added after asking former works and highways secretary Rogelio Singon about who the planning head was during his term.

Senator Manny Pacquiao, chair of committee, initiated the investigation on the alleged scam in General Santos.

Also present at the hearing were Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II and Karen Olivia Jimeno, undersecretary for Legal Affairs of the DPWH. /cbb