PACC probes 3 Cabinet members

PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna. INQUIRER.net file photo / Aries Joseph Hegina

MANILA, Philippines — Three Cabinet members are currently being investigated by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), an official said on Monday.

PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna said the Cabinet members were Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña and National Commission on Indigenous People Chairman Leonor Oralde-Quintayo.

“Unang unang is the Dole Secretary Bello III na alam na ng publiko na mayroong inihaing kaso sa amin at ito ay binigyan natin ng karampatang aksyon… After that, we have an ongoing investigation also on former Commissioner of Customs, si Secretary Isidro Lapeña na ngayon ay Secretary na ng Tesda, tungkol sa magnetic lifters… Pangatlo, ‘yung chairman ng NCIP, si Atty. Quintayo,” he told INQUIRER.net.

Luna said allegations of corruption were brought to their office in 2018 which prompted them to open an investigation on the Cabinet members. He assured that the Cabinet members will be given due process and are allowed to answer the allegations.

“We are not saying they are already guilty kaya nga iniimbestigahan para malaman natin kung totoo o hindi (yung allegations),” Luna said.

“But all of them will be given due process. Bibigyan sila ng tsansa, ng pagkakataon para ibigay yung kanilang side sa issues na binring against them,” he added.

The PACC commissioner said they cannot yet divulge other information regarding their investigation.

“Mayroon na kaming preliminary findings pero hindi namin pwedeng i-divulge because this is for the President’s consideration so confidential po siya,” he said.

After the investigation, the PACC will submit their recommendation to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Ang ating Pangulong Duterte ang bahala kung ano ang gagawin niya sa aming mga recommendation,” Luna said. /je