Show proof of corruption charge, Quezon lawmaker dares PACC exec

LUCENA CITY –– Quezon 4th District Rep. Angelina Tan has challenged Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica to prove her supposed involvement in a road construction anomaly in her district.

“I challenge PACC Chair Mr. Greco Belgica to come to Gumaca (town) and visit the project if they are serious about their campaign against corruption,” Tan said on her Facebook page early Tuesday.

“Don’t base it on an anonymous letter and ask DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), and not me,” she said.

She wondered who wrote the anonymous letter to PACC and why PACC reported it to the President without validating and investigating it.)

On Monday night, President Duterte, citing the information from the PACC, disclosed the names of some lawmakers that include Tan, who is under probe for alleged involvement in corruption.

But Mr. Duterte clarified that the inclusion of the lawmakers in the list did not mean they were guilty or that there was hard evidence against them.

The President reportedly linked Tan to an irregular national road project in Quezon that was supposedly damaged during a storm even if it had not yet been opened for public use. Mr. Duterte did not provide other details.

Tan stressed that her involvement in the Gumaca-bypass-road project was only in the preparation of a feasibility study for yearly funding purposes until its completion.

“Although it isn’t completely paved yet, it is already open and being used by motorists and travelers can attest to that,” she explained.

Tan said she had inspected the portion of the road project damaged by the typhoon and asked the DPWH to explain.

“The explanation by (DPWH) is that due to the series of typhoons, the base of the soil went down because that portion is elevated. Acts of nature. And because it is within the warranty of the contractor, it is being fixed,” she explained.

It’s shocking why I am being blamed for the damage when I am not the implementing agency, but DPWH. Why am I being linked? she complained.

She dismissed the graft and corruption allegation against her as another demolition job by her political enemies.

Tan is gearing for an election battle for Quezon’s gubernatorial post in the coming polls against incumbent Gov. Danilo Suarez.

The beleaguered lawmaker is the wife of DPWH Ilocos Region director, Ronel Tan, who is also facing a graft and corruption case before the Ombudsman.

Lopez town councilor Arkie Manuel Yulde filed the complaint last October accusing Ronel of grave misconduct, corrupt practices, conduct unbecoming of a public officer, and involvement in partisan political activities.

Yulde claimed that the DPWH official threw crisp money bills in the air for his guests at a recent party.

The Tan couple denied the accusation.

LZB