Defensor tells PACC's Belgica: Show proof, otherwise, shut up

Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor on Thursday told Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission head Greco Belgica to just "shut up" if he could not show proof for his allegations against lawmakers supposedly linked to corruption involving infrastructure projects.

Defensor made the remark after Belgica claimed that there are "less than 12" congressmen who are allegedly involved in corruption within the 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,” Defensor said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

Defensor said it is unfair to all congressmen and the House as an institution for Belgica to simply allege that some of the chamber's members are engaged in corruption but refuse to name and sue them.

“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,” he said.

"[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," he added.

However, Belgica said that PACC cannot pursue further investigation on these lawmakers because the commission is only mandated to cover presidential appointees and not elected officials.

“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,” he said.

“Tapos, merong ilang nagsasabi merong mga parte ang mga legislator, hindi lahat, for specific projects,” he added.

Belgica pointed out that the investigation should be tasked to “competent authorities” such as the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice, and the National Bureau of Investigation.

If this was the case, then Defensor questioned the point of Belgica's allegations.

“If that is so, why talk about this issue, titillate the imagination of the public and put all House members in bad light?” Defensor said.

Defensor, in the end, urged Belgica to turn over the formal complaints that he has to the DOJ or to the Office of the Ombudsman. —LBG, GMA News