SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Tuesday filed counter charges of “unethical behavior” before the House Ethics committee against Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. for the latter’s allegedly illegal activities.
The filing of the complaint came a day after Barbers delivered a privilege speech urging President Duterte and Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to look into what he described as Pichay’s “corrupt activities.”
Barbers accused Pichay of willful violation of the anti graft law and the Constitution, abuse of authority, inappropriate behavior, conflict of interest and conduct unbecoming of a public official, for muscling his way into stealing the business identity, theft of minerals and profiting at least P86 million from a suspended mining firm in Claver, Surigao del Norte.
Barbers said Pichay’s conflicting financial interests with the government while discharging his public duties should not be tolerated
In response, Pichay, who had earlier filed an ethics complaint against Barbers, expressed confidence a thorough and impartial investigation would show that Barbers had lied to the plenary during his speech yesterday.
“Firstly, Barbers lied when he claimed he was making his privilege speech and now filed this ethics complaint as a crusader against graft and corruption,” Pichay said.
Pichay said “the truth is, he is motivated by partisan politics and his burning desire to get back at me for supporting the political opponents of his family in Surigao del Norte.”
“However, I am not to blame for the losses of the Barbers in Surigao del Norte. Instead of blaming me, he should reflect on his actions which caused them to be repudiated by their own province-mates,” Pichay said.