Belgica: ‘Less than 12’ congressmen involved in DPWH corruption

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) head Greco Belgica on Wednesday said there are “less than 12” congressmen included in their list of officials involved in DPWH corruption.

Belgica said these House members, who he did not name, should face formal investigation.

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“’Yung exact number is less than 12 ang alam ko na-submit sa Pangulo na nakita namin after validation. Kailangan maimbestigahan ito nang pormal,” he told CNN Philippines.

“We need solid documents. We need probably forensic,” he added.

However, the PACC chief said his agency cannot further investigate Congress members because the commission is only authorized to cover presidential appointees and not elected officials like legislators.

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“In the course of our investigation, some of it, merong mga gaya ng isa naming witness nagsasabi tungkol nga sa connivance, porsyentuhan, which involves, of course, DPWH, contractors,” he said.

“Tapos, merong ilang nagsasabi merong mga parte ang mga legislators, hindi lahat, for specific projects,” he added.

Belgica noted that the investigation should be tasked to “competent authorities” such as the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, and the National Bureau of Investigation.

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The list of congressmen allegedly involved in DPWH corruption is already forwarded to President Rodrigo Duterte, who also refused to name the solons.

Belgica: ‘Less than 12’ congressmen involved in DPWH corruption

Asked if there are lawmakers on the list that are Duterte’s allies, Belgica said PACC’s investigation is not focused on political parties.

On Monday, said he has no jurisdiction to investigate House of Representatives members tagged in DPWH  in their respective districts.

Duterte added he could not release the names of alleged corrupt solons in his weekly briefings as they were on the co-equal branch of government, the legislature.

“If I do not have jurisdiction, then I do not have the authority to release their names,” Duterte said in a briefing on Monday night. The President said he would have to refer the findings of graft against the congressmen to the Ombudsman.

The President claimed he was not trying to cover up for the House members and noted that he could mention names as he has no jurisdiction.

“I’m not trying to wash my hand, I am now dwelling on the law,” he said. “If I cannot investigate the congressmen, then I have no authority to be releasing their names that they are involved per investigation by the PACC.”