By Mario B. Casayuran
Former Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio L. Singson yesterday stressed that he was not a corrupt official and refuted allegations that there was an R8.7-billion road right-of-way scam in General Santos City during the Aquino administration.
“I was not a corrupt secretary and definitely not a plunderer,’’ Singson told a hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Works led by Sen. Manny Pacquiao about the issue.
Singson also told the committee and in front of main accuser Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II and witness Roberto Catapang Jr. that he did not benefit from the controversy.
“I did not profit or gain anything from any of these land claims as accused by DoJ Secretary Aguirre. There is no R8.7-billion right-of-way scam in General Santos City as claimed by Secretary Aguirre and his witness,’’ he added.
“I accepted the position of DPWH Secretary for the opportunity to serve God and country,’’ Singson said. “I served for six years with dignity and dedication as we initiated good governance and anti-corruption measures to minimize corruption in the department and to restore dignity in public service.”
He also refuted Catapang, who said that R8.7 billion was paid for ROW claims in General Santos. According to Singson, the DPWH paid R2.208 billion for ROW nationwide, including General Santos, for right-of-way claims from July 2010 to the end of the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Singson said he verified the letters following up ROW payments addressed to him and found these as fake.
“Finally, the letters addressed to me as DPWH Secretary following up land payments purportedly coming from President Aquino’s sister, Balsy Cruz, and brother-in-law, Weldon Cruz, are fake letters which I myself verified,’’ he said.