BY GENALYN KABILING
Less than a dozen lawmakers have been linked to alleged anomalous transactions based on an initial probe on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), according to Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner (PACC) Greco Belgica.
Some witnesses and documents have alleged that some congressmen have conspired with public works personnel and contractors in projects in their towns, Belgica said.
The allegations on alleged irregular DPWH projects, however, must still be further investigated by the Department of Justice-led task force or the Office of the Ombudsman.
The PACC cannot probe further since it has no jurisdiction over congressmen and other elected public officials, according to Belgica.
“Yung exact number is less than 12 na nai-submit sa Pangulo na nakita namin after validation,” Belgica said over CNN Philippines Wednesday when asked about the number of congressmen linked to alleged corruption.
“Kailangan maimbestigahan talaga ng pormal. We need solid documents. We need probably a forensic of the projects kasi mayroon may nagsasabi na paulit-ulit na pinopondohan na tulay. Mayroon sinasabi na ghost project. May isang witness siya mismo hinihingian. so lahat ng ito ay kailangan i-substantiate ng nagkakaso,” he said.
The President recently declined to investigate or even name the lawmakers who allegedly took kickbacks from public works projects, citing lack of jurisdiction over members of the legislative branch of government.
Duterte instead opted to pass the list of lawmakers given by the PACC to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation. (Genalyn Kabiling)
