House Minority wants Congress to investigate P10B pork barrel scandal

The minority bloc in the House of Representatives on Tuesday formally called for an investigation of the alleged P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam.

 

"The magnitude and the destructive effects of the PDAF scam must not be swept into oblivion, as the issue is destroying the trust that members of the Philippine Congress should enjoy from the people they represent," the resolution read.

 

House Resolution No. 160 directed the committee on good government and public accountability and the committee on ethics and privileges to conduct a joint inquiry "on the criminal plunder involving the alleged misuse of the P10-billion PDAF by a network of bogus non-government organizations operated by Janette Lim-Napoles."

 

The minority, led by San Juan City Representative Ronaldo Zamora, also noted that the house investigation may prompt “legislation to correct many processes and procedures involving” the PDAF.

 

Other than looking into the allegedly anomalous dealings of congressmen and senators with Napoles, the minority also sought to investigate the Departments of Budget and Management, Agriculture, and Agrarian Reform and other agenciesfor allowing the approval and release of funds, which ended up in Napoles’ private accounts.

 

The resolution has yet to be referred to any committee.

 

Other than Zamora, other authors of the resolution include Representatives Rodolfo Albano III, Bellaflor Angara-Castillo, Lino Cayetano, Neri Colmenares, Emmi de Jesus, Florencio Flores Jr., Ana Cristina Go, Fernando Hicap, Luz Ilagan, Seth Jalosjos, Carol Jayne Lopez, Leah Paquiz, James Mark Ridon, Jose Tejada, Antonio Tinio, Arnel Ty, and Carlos Zarate.

 

DOJ first

 

The minority made the call despite Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr’s comments that he wanted the Department of Justice to complete its investigation before allowing the House to probe the case.

 

In a Monday afternoon interview, Majority Floor Leader Neptali Gonzalez reiterated that it would be illogical for the House to investigate the alleged scam as its members will be preoccupied with budget hearings come Wednesday, August 7. - VVP, GMA News