[ad_1]
Commissioner of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Greco Belgica. File Photo / Joseph Vidal of the PRIB Senate
MANILA, Philippines – Reports received by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) show that lawmakers allegedly involved in alleged corruption in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) get at least a 10 to 15 percent cut per project from infrastructure, Commissioner Greco Belgium revealed on Tuesday.
“Right now, [based on] the reports that we got, legislators will get 10-15 percent per bill. It is usually advanced. It varies by project, but that’s the basic minimum, ”Belgium said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel.
The district’s engineers and contractors reportedly also get a cut in infrastructure funding, Belgium said.
However, the PACC commissioner stressed that these are just accusations for now.
“They are accusations, an open secret. But then, until we have proof of it, maybe it’s time to talk about it, ”said Belgica.
During the interview, Belgium was asked how many congressmen allegedly involved in corrupt activities that the PACC is monitoring in its investigation of the DPWH.
Belgium noted that the PACC has no jurisdiction over elected officials and government employees who are not appointed by the president. However, he said his office has been receiving “many” reports linking congressmen to corrupt practices.
“We are investigating the entire DPWH. We spoke to all the district engineers, so we are preparing the report right now. As for exactly how many, as of now, the numbers have been growing day by day, ”said Belgica.
Belgium said it is “the same story” across the country, as the congressman chose a contractor.
The contractor will then appear before the district engineer, who will then obtain confirmation from the congressman.
“The contractor of choice will be accommodated and the contractors themselves will have their own little unions among themselves and will simply choose among themselves for the leader or contractor of choice of the legislator who will get the project to share,” said Belgica.
“Sweldo (salary), that’s what they call it, for those contractors who won’t win a certain project. You will simply receive a salary from the winning contractor, ”said Belgium.
In the end, about 50 percent of the fund would go to the project itself, leading to poor and incomplete projects, Belgica said.
Belgium said its office will send its initial report on its investigation into DPWH this week.
JPV
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
