DPWH Region I Director Ronnel Tan denied the claims of Councilor Arkie Manuel Yulde that he threw cash in the air at his party in Quezon province.
In a phone interview with GMA News Online, Tan denied Yulde’s accusation, adding that the councilor’s claims are politically motivated against his wife Quezon Representative Angelina “Helen” Tan.
Yulde is accusing Tan of grave misconduct, corrupt practices, conduct unbecoming a public officer, and involvement in partisan political activities.
The complainant mentioned a recent incident where Tan threw a party at his residence in Quezon and “threw cash in the air” for his visitors.
“Walang ganoon,” he said about the allegation he threw cash in the air. “Pag nagbi-birthday ako, naroon lang kami sa bahay namin sa [Metro] Manila. Wala pong ganoon. Napakalaki nun at hindi tama iyon. This is just because of local politics.”
Tan also explained that his assets—including a “huge house” in Quezon City—are legitimately acquired. He said he worked as a subcontractor for a telecommunications company before becoming a government official, specifically in the DPWH.
“Mayroon naman akong naging ibang hanapbuhay, ibang source of income, pero hindi kami namumuhay ng marangya,” Ronnel Tan said.
Yulde also mentioned in his complaint that the DPWH exec had a “huge house” at a posh subdivision in Quezon City, where a square meter of land costs P75,000.
DPWH exec Ronnel Tan denies ‘throwing cash in the air’
The house is reportedly built on a 600-square-meter property.
Yulde also accused that Tan had prevented and even threatened several barangay officials from attending meetings or conferences Quezon Governor Danilo Suarez organized.
However, Ronnel Tan said he found Yulde’s accusation laughable.
“Bakit nila ako susundin eh governor siya? Ano pong kapasidad ko eh sa Region 1 ako naka-assign? Bakit naman ako susundin ng mga kapitan?” Tan said.
Tan added the allegation is not surprising since his wife is likely to run for Quezon governor in the 2022 elections.
“Ina-anticipate na namin ito kasi dahil ako ang nasa gobyerno at iyong asawa ko eh nababalitang tatakbong gobernador sa Quezon,” Tan said.
“Nakarating na sa amin na sisirain nila kami kung hindi aatras ang asawa ko,” Tan added.