House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez yesterday aired strong suspicions that the previous administration is behind alleged efforts to destabilize the Duterte government, saying that a congressional inquiry should be conducted in this matter that involves national security.
In a radio interview, Alvarez also said that the arrest of opposition Sen. Leila M. de Lima, a key ally of the Aquino administration, only underscores the fact that wheels of justice is rolling in the right direction.
Alvarez noted a pattern of moves that allegedly undermine the Duterte administration, stressing that these are too serious that there is a need to dig into them.
The House leader said the alleged bribery attempt on witnesses against De Lima and the mystery behind recantation by retired SPO3 Arthur Lascanas of his denial about the existence and murder operations of the so-called Davao Death Squad are enough bases to support reports of destabilization plots to oust Duterte.
“Unang-una, involved nga din daw sa allegations ’yung si Congresswoman Len Alonte Naguiat, ito ay relative noong dating Pagcor chairman yata. So alamin natin iyan, kasi malaki ang pera na naglalaro dito, talagang ginagastahan nila ito just to…’yung i-destablize ’yung gobyerno natin,” Alvarez stated.
He called for a congressional probe into allegations, pointing out that “it involves national security.”
Alonte-Naguiat, a Biñan City, Laguna lawmaker, is married to a kin of former Pagcor chairman Cristino Naguiat who is being linked to the anomalous R3.2-billion casino lease contract with Vanderwood Management, a private development firm.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre III has accused Alonte-Naguiat, a Liberal Party lawmaker, and former Sen. Jamby Madrigal of dangling R100 million to key witnesses against De Lima as bribe for their recantation.
The lady solon has not returned calls of reporters but agreed to be interviewed by a radio station where she denied the allegations.
“Wala akong kilala kahit sinong inmates, hindi ako nakikisali sa ganyang gawain,” Alonte-Naguiat said.
(Ben R. Rosario)
