Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 15) — The anti-corruption mega task force formed by President Rodrigo Duterte will take over the investigation into the alleged anomalies involving several lawmakers and district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who heads the Task Force Against Corruption, on Thursday said the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission wanted to turnover the gargantuan task of probing those tagged in corruption in public works projects. He admitted that the investigation headed by PACC Chief Grego Belgica is not yet ready for filing before the Office of the Ombudsman since it needs a more through probe.
“The TFAC will accept the turnover of the subject complaints from the PACC, considering that most of these complaints are not ready for immediate filing with the Ombudsman and need further investigation or case buildup,” he said.
Duterte in late December read a list submitted by PACC of nine alleged corrupt incumbent and former House lawmakers and DPWH district engineers they were supposedly in cahoots with. He proceeded to read their names despite admitting that there is “no hard evidence” against them. He also called for the immediate relief of 14 DPWH district engineers.
Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez Sato, Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas, Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza, Quezon Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan, Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman, Isabela Rep. Alyssa Sheena Tan, Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal, ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap, and former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, Jr. denied receiving kickbacks from projects and implementing ghost projects, among other issues. Yap said the PACC list is based on anonymous tips without proper vetting.
The DOJ-led multi-agency task force investigating corruption in the “entire government” said it has received 144 complaints. Guevarra said they have evaluated 60 complaints, mostly involving alleged anomalies in public works projects in the regions.
