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Friday, March 29, 2024

Belgica urged: Name corrupt congressmen

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A congressional leader on Friday challenged the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Greco Belgica to name congressmen allegedly involved in corrupt practices in the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor said while he supported the anti-corruption drive of the Duterte administration, Belgica should be prudent in issuing statements that could affect the integrity of congressmen and the House of Representatives as an institution.

“If there are really corrupt practices being done and they are saying congressmen or congresswomen are involved, then they should really point to whoever are involved,” said Defensor, chairman of the House committee on public accounts.

 But Senator Panfilo Lacson praised Belgica. Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

“Spot on,” he told Belgica on his disclosure that some lawmakers were conspiring with public works personnel and project contractors to commit corruption.

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Lacson says it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what Belgica claims. 

“The harder part is producing evidence,” he said and added he would take his hat off to Belgica if he could produce the “damning evidence” to put the corrupt people behind bars.

“Let’s face it. Lack of accountability because of the failure of state authorities to catch these crooks and give what they deserve is the best motivation for the others to commit similar corrupt practices, even with improved innovations,” Lacson said.

According to Belgica, some lawmakers are allegedly in conspiracy with public works personnel and project contractors to commit corruption.

He says those congressmen wield influence over the implementation of local projects and the movement of district engineers.

Defensor expressed his willingness to conduct a congressional probe into the matter.

But he says a “third-party” investigation is proper if, indeed, some House members are involved so it won’t be “self-serving.”

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier expressed strong conviction about the massive corruption in the DPWH as he vouched for Public Works Secretary Mark Villar’s integrity.

In response, Villar created a task force to investigate the alleged irregularities within the agency.

Earlier, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. urged the National Bureau of Investigation and the Senate to conduct a parallel probe on the alleged corruption in the DPWH.

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