Pinayuhan ni Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor ang pinuno ng Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission na si Greco Belgica na manahimik kung wala namang ebidensiyang magpapatunay na sangkot sa katiwalian ang ilang kongresista.
Ginawa ni Defensor ang pahayag nitong Huwebes matapos sabihin ni Belgica nitong Miyerkules na mayroong "less than 12" na kongresista na sangkot sa katiwalian kaugnay sa proyekto ng Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
“To my recollection, this is the second time in recent months that he has made this allegation, although he refuses to name names, saying he does not have solid evidence to file cases,” ayon kay Defensor.
“If that is so, then he should just shut up. If he has evidence that can stand in court, he should file cases against the lawmakers he claims are involved in corruption,” hamon pa ng mambabatas.
Giit ni Defensor, hindi patas para sa ibang kongresista at maging sa institusyon ng Kamara de Representantes ang ginagawang paratang ni Belgica na may ilang mambabatas na sangkot sa katiwalian gayung hindi niya pinapangalanan at kinakasuhan.
“If he cannot support what he is saying, then what is his purpose? To taint all House members and their institution and put them under a cloud of suspicion? We have been trying to improve the image of the House and he is tarnishing it,” paliwanag ng partylist solon.
"[Belgica's job] is not to engage in trial by publicity but to gather evidence and build cases against corrupt officials and file them before the proper forum like the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Office of the Ombudsman," dagdag niya.
Una rito, sinabi ni Belgica na hindi puwedeng imbestigahan ng PACC ang mga mambabatas dahil ang mandato nila ay imbestigahan lamang ang opisyal na itinalaga ng pangulo at hindi kasama ang mga halal na opisyal.
“In the course of our investigation, some of it, merong mga gaya ng isa naming witness nagsasabi tungkol nga sa connivance, porsyentuhan, which involves, of course DPWH contractors,” aniya.
Ayon kay Belgica, dapat ipaubaya sa “competent authorities” tulad ng Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, at National Bureau of Investigation, ang pagsisiyasat sa mga kongresista.
Puna naman ni Defensor, kung hindi puwedeng mag-imbestiga ang PACC sa mga mambabatas, bakit nagsasalita tungkol sa usapin si Belgica.
“If that is so, why talk about this issue, titillate the imagination of the public and put all House members in bad light?” tanong niya.
Sabi pa ni Defensor, mas makabubuti kay Belgica na ipasa na nito ang reklamo sa DOJ o Office of the Ombudsman laban sa mga kongresistang sinasabing sangkot sa katiwalian. —FRJ, GMA News
