SEC chief: Commissioner in Legacy mess may get term extension

MANILA, Philippines - Despite being linked to the Legacy firm’s fund mess, Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Jesus Martinez may still have his term extended, SEC Chairwoman Fe Barin admitted Tuesday. Barin said in a radio interview that while Martinez’s term will be finished this week, he can stay in a holdover capacity if Malacañang does not name his replacement. Martinez’s term will end this week. But if a successor is not named, he will stay in a holdover position until a replacement comes in, she said in an interview on dwIZ radio. At a Senate hearing Monday, two witnesses linked Martinez to the Legacy fund mess. On the other hand, Barin advised Martinez to check his conscience, saying he is the only one who knows if what transpired at the Senate Monday is the truth. “Isa lang. Sasabihin mo sa pagkakataong ito tingnan natin ang ating sarili at magpakatotoo tayo. Ano ba ang katotohanan o di katotohanan? Yung taong apektado siya lang ang nakakaalam. Ang pag-resign may serious implications [I have only one piece of advice for him. He should be honest with himself. What is the truth? Only he knows. His resignation will have serious implications]," she said. For his part, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez hinted at more charges against owners of troubled Legacy Consolidated Plans, Inc. (LCPI). In a separate interview, Gonzalez said they have been gathering evidence and meeting with witnesses, with more evidence continuing to pour in. “Ang investigation sa Legacy ongoing na yan. Kaya lang araw-araw may nadadagdag na kaso, you have to float along with the cases being filed [Our investigation of Legacy has been ongoing. But with the new evidence and complaints coming in, we have to float along with the cases being filed]," he said in an interview on dzXL radio. Gonzalez also said they will file cases against Martinez if there will be complainants against him. He did not say when the charges against Legacy officials led by owner Celso de los Angeles Jr. will be filed, however. “Mabigat, kausap ko ibang testigo, pupunta yan dito sa bahay [The evidence so far has been very serious. And I have talked to some of the witnesses, some of whom will come here]," he said. - GMANews.TV