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MANILA (3rd UPDATE) – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday read the names of current and former lawmakers who allegedly received bribes from government public works projects.
The list was provided by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), which launched the investigation in November.
He also named district engineers from the Department of Public Works allegedly involved in the plan.
“The public must be aware that there is no conclusive evidence, that is one. That can be translated just by reading the names that are already guilty because the presumption of innocence would be at all times until conviction or acquittal,” Duterte said during his weekly. public address.
“This is not evidence of what they are. That is why their names came out, and I have to tell people that otherwise it would seem stupid.”
(This is not evidence that they are corrupt. But their names came up, and I have to tell people that otherwise I would look stupid.)
Duterte previously said that he will not read the list in public, adding that he had no authority to investigate lawmakers accused of corruption because they belonged to the legislature. It has directed PACC to present the list to the Ombudsman.
THE LEGALS SPEAK
Occidental Mindoro representative Josephine Ramirez-Sato, one of the legislators on Duterte’s list, has denied the allegations.
In a statement sent to ABS-CBN News, Ramírez-Sato said Duterte’s accusation “is without foundation” and is “grossly unfair.”
“I am not involved in any anomaly in any project. I invite the office of the Presidency to investigate all projects in my province. I have been in public service for a long time and have kept my good name in honest government service.” she said.
He also said the allegations may have been politically motivated, mentioning that PACC commissioner Greco Belgium is allegedly a party partner of a political opponent who plans to run in the 2022 elections.
“Commissioner Belgium is a well-known ally and party partner of a prominent functionary in our province of Occidental Mindoro. This politician intends to stand against me in the next local elections in 2022. The report prepared by Commissioner Belgium That affects my credentials as a public The Servant is clearly calculated to sow intrigue and disruption in the local politics of Occidental Mindoro, “he said in a separate statement.
Former Ifugao representative Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat Jr. also denied Duterte’s allegations.
In a series of tweets, Baguilat said he wouldn’t need to help sell Cordilleran’s products if he did take bribes.
“If he had received a bribe when he was a congressman, he would have had no problem helping sell honey and coffee to Andean producers,” he said. tweeted.
(If you received bribes when you were a congressman, you wouldn’t have to work hard to help sell pinunnog, honey, and coffee from Andean producers.)
He also regretted being named even when there was no evidence against him.
“Those who have proof that Mañanita did and broke the law are promoted. Those who have no evidence to take a bribe were slandered on primetime TV. I am great ”, Baguilat. additional.
(Those who had evidence of having a mañanita and other rapes were promoted. While some were named on primetime television even without evidence of having received bribes. I am magnified).
The representative of the North Samar First District, Paul Daza, also denied the allegations, saying it was the work of his political opponents.
“The president himself said that he is not condemning anyone. PACC issued him a report that in itself is unfair and not transparent. I never had the opportunity to present my version to PACC,” he said in a statement sent to ABS-CBN. News.
“I am 100% sure that this was the work of my local political opponents to send incorrect defamatory information to the PACC. In fact, the records will show that it is the other way around, as we have been the ones to complain about anomalous projects in my district. as in early 2016 perpetrated by former elected officials and certain contractors, “he added.
He also urged Duterte and the PACC to reveal the names of the whistleblowers, who he said were likely supporters of his political opponent.
Bataan First District Representative Geraldine Roman expressed surprise to hear that her name was included in the list of lawmakers allegedly involved in acts of corruption.
“I am surprised to hear that my name was mentioned by the President on a list of congressmen allegedly involved in anomalies in their projects. Public service has never been a profitable endeavor for me or my family, whose good name is highly esteemed in our District. , “she tweeted.
Roman also said that she is open to any investigation to prove her innocence.
“I am comforted by the fact that the President clarified that there is no verified information in this regard. I am open to any investigation to establish the truth on this matter and I am sure that my honor will be vindicated. My conscience is clear, “she added.
The representative of the fifth district of Quezon City, Alfred Vargas, also expressed his confidence that his name will be cleared, claiming that the PACC may have received false information from his political opponents.
“The president himself declared ‘there is no solid evidence’ and ‘mentioning names is not an accusation.’ I am sure they will acquit me,” he said in a statement.
ABS-CBN News is withholding the names of other lawmakers and public works officials pending their statements on the matter, as well as the formal filing of charges against them.
In late October, Duterte issued a memo ordering the Justice Department to investigate anomalies in state agencies until the end of his term in 2022.
The memorandum gave the Justice Department the power to decide which allegations to investigate and to work with other agencies.
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