Noynoy Aquino’s brod-in-law linked to P8.7-B ‘right-of-way scam’

Eldon Cruz, a brother-in-law of former President Benigno Aquino III, was implicated on Monday by a whistle-blower in the case of the alleged P8.7-billion road right-of-way scam.

At a press conference at the Department of Justice (DOJ), witness Roberto Catapang Jr. said Cruz's name was frequently used by the syndicate in seeking compensation for road right-of-way (RROW) intended for rightful owners who were affected by the construction of a national highway in General Santos City.

Catapang presented a January 12, 2011 letter supposedly signed by Cruz, husband of Aquino's eldest sister, Ballsy Aquino Cruz, urging then Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson to endorse the payment for claims with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

"According sa kanila [syndicate], signature ito ni Mr. [Cruz]," Catapang said.

Jiggy Cruz, the nephew of former President Benigno Aquino III and son of Eldon Cruz, called his father's implication in the case of the alleged P8.7-billion road right-of-way (RROW) scam "absurd and ridiculous."

Jiggy added that his father's supposed signature on the letter shown by witness Roberto Catapang Jr. at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday was faked.

"To tag my father in this "scam" is absurd and ridiculous. The letter shown today at the DOJ (Department of Justice) shows a fake signature. That's not his signature," Jiggy said.

"It is not even remotely close to it. We live in a time of lies and fake news and I can't believe it's reached this point. It's just totally ridiculous," he added.

Catapang, who was once part of the syndicate, also implicated former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and Singson in the scam.

The witness had said Abad apparently approved the release of payment for illegal RROW claims as requested by Singson.

Abad has denied any role in the alleged scam.

In particular, Catapang said documents showed Abad approved the release of funds for right-of-way claims totaling P500 million in just four days in late 2013.

Singson allegedly made the request on December 23, 2013 and was approved by Abad on December 27, 2013.

Abad, Singson and 41 others have already been placed on on the DOJ's immigration lookout bulletin order.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Cruz's name may be added on the list once the signature on the document is verified by the the National Bureau of Investigation, which is conducting a fact-finding probe into the scam.

Aguirre earlier said the members of the syndicate would submit fake titles in the name of non-existent persons and then secure payment using fake land titles.

He said the syndicate was able to process over 300 RROW claims including one amounting to P29 million.

Other individuals linked by Catapang to the scam are Wilma Mamburam, a certain Colonel Chino Mamburan, Merceditas Dumlao and Nelson Ti, the group's alleged financier and a "close friend" of former President Aquino.

Ti is also said to be a relative of former Philippine ambassador to China Domingo Lee.

Catapang said the falling out between him and the syndicate happened because the group no longer needed him, adding the syndicate wanted to directly deal with the government agencies in the processing of the claims.

He also said he decided to disclose to the government his knowledge about the scam due to fears for his life, having survived an ambush try in 2015.

Meanwhile, Aguirre said former assemblyman Rogelio Garcia of South Cotabato told him during the 2017 Homecoming of the San Beda College Law at the Manila Peninsula last Friday that he is also a victim of the scam.

"The property of Assemblyman Garcia, around 7,000 square meters, was subjected to the modus operandi of this road right of way scam," Aguirre said.

Garcia was supposed to join the press conference but begged off due to conflict of schedule.

"In due time, we will obtain the sworn statement of Assemblyman Garcia and perhaps we can present him to you [media]," Aguirre said. —NB/KBK, GMA News