Duterte naming solons linked to corruption without basis sends chilling effect —Baguilat

President Rodrigo Duterte's move to announce the names of lawmakers who were supposedly involved in corruption despite not having any evidence to back it up sends a "chilling effect" to voices of opposition against the administration.

This was according to former Ifugao Representative Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat Jr. whom Duterte named for allegedly receiving kickbacks from construction projects in the province.

"It's a chilling effect. Takutin 'yung taumbayan, takutin 'yung voices of opposition, takutin ang Kongreso because we are supposed to be doing our job as a check and balance institution, gawin sana natin ang ating oversight functions on the administration," Baguilat told reporters in a virtual interview.

"Because of these charges, baka gusto nilang takutin ang mga kongresista na gawin nila ang trabaho nila as check and balance dito sa administration," he added.

Baguilat believes his name was mentioned because he earlier took to social media his thoughts on the COVID-19 inoculation of some members of the military and the Cabinet, even as the Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve a registration for any of the vaccines against the virus.

"I thought that was something that should've been given attention by the PACC. 'Yun naman ang mandato nila e, to investigate presidential appointees on alleged corruption. Instead, ang nangyari is tulad nga ng sinabi nila, para kalimutan ang isang iskandalo, maglabas ka ulit ng isang iskandalo," he said.

"So nilabas itong isang listahan na sabi naman ng Pangulo at the start na wala siyang ebidensiya. So if you don't have evidence, bakit mo ilalabas sa publiko ito, especially something as serious as this?" he added.

Baguilat likewise thinks that his continued involvement in the political opposition as a member of the Liberal Party may have something to do with him being named.

He recalled that back in 2017 when the issue of Ifugao officials receiving kickbacks came out, he was among those who pushed that the alleged Department of Public Works and Highways officials involved be transferred to other provinces.

"Ngayon nagugulat ako na binaliktad ang istorya, although sabi ng Pangulo baka ginagamit 'yung pangalan namin," Baguilat said.

"But then again kung wala kang ebidensiya, ikaw nga 'yung isa sa mga tumutulong na tanggalin ang katiwalian sa pamahalaan, sana ay nasunod ang rule of law at hindi ito pinalabas sa publiko," he added.

Baguilat has already denied receiving kickbacks from infrastructure projects in Ifugao, and even offered to present his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth to the public and media.

Belgica to blame

For her part, Occidental Mindoro Representative Josephine Ramirez-Sato said that while naming them as being involved in corruption without basis is "unacceptable," the person to blame is still Commissioner Greco Belgica of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission who submitted the list to the President.

"The fact that Mr. Belgica submitted an unfounded and baseless accusations to the President shows that he doesn't respect the President, that he doesn't protect the President," Sato said in a separate interview.

"Kasi kung pinoprotektahan niya ang Presidente, kung ginagalang niya ang Presidente, hindi siya magbibigay ng listahan na walang basehan. Hindi siya magbibigay ng listahan na hindi dumaan sa regular due process of law," she added.

Meanwhile, ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Yap, whose name was also mentioned, defended the President's move to publicize the names, saying that it was part of his duty to do so.

"I respect the President's decision. It is his mandate na sabihin kung may mga allegations ng corruption. Ang gusto ko lang sana i-point out dito na si Commissioner Belgica na sana siya muna ay, nag-imbestiga muna siya nang maayos," he said.

"Kilala ko ang ating Presidente, kapag merong listahan 'yan, sasabihin niya. And the President is fair na sinabi niya na no hard evidence, na kailangan niyang sabihin ito because it is his duty na sabihin kung ano ang mga allegations," he added.

Unlike Baguilat, Yap does not believe that Duterte released the names in order to cover up the issue of COVID-19 inoculation.

He even said that there is nothing wrong that soldiers, Cabinet officials, and members of the Presidential Security Group received COVID-19 vaccines as these were not sold to them.

"Hindi ko kailangan mag-divert ang President ng issue dahil kilala ko ang Presidente. Hindi niya kailangan mag-divert and he is very straightforward," Yap said.

"Malabo 'yung timing doon at hindi ako naniniwala na ginawa ng Presidente 'yun to divert 'yung sa mga vaccination ng PSG," he added. —KG, GMA News