Beltran questions LPP's admission on 'cash gifts'

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran on Wednesday expressed disbelief over the claim of the League of Provinces of the Philippines’s (LPP) claim that it gave out P500,000 “cash gift" to several governors after a meeting in Malacañang two weeks ago. In a statement, Beltran said the timing of LPP’s admission that it gave out the “cash gifts" to governors was suspect, noting that it took the group two weeks before owning up to the distribution of money to some of its members. "Why is the LPP speaking up only now? It's been two weeks since the controversy broke out. Malacañang and its allies must've used the time racking their collective brains trying to find a way to justify the money distribution and save Pres. Arroyo from liability for bribery," Beltran said. "It's highly suspicious that the LPP should decide to admit this now. There is the unmistakable intent to draw attention away from Malacañang and from the President who's in the direct line of fire and the target of calls for resignation on the grounds of corruption… No one will believe the LPP because it waited to soon to take the fall, and its motives now are highly suspect," he added. Beltran also said there were holes in LPP’s claim, saying LPP’s disbursement of the “cash gift" appeared anomalous and should likewise be subject to an investigation. He noted that there was no clear explanation where the money distributed by LPP came from. Earlier, LPP admitted giving out money to Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Bulacan Gov. Joselito Mendoza saying the money was intended as assistance to the programs of first-term local executives. Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone, LPP secretary general, said the group still plans to dole out even more money to other governors in the coming weeks, as he insisted that the money mainly came from “annual membership dues". “Also, there are holes in the LPP's argument — where did the money really come from? From the salaries of the more well-off LPP members, or from official government funds? If the case is the latter, that too has to be verified because it also sounds anomalous. Finally, if the LPP really sees nothing wrong in the distribution of cash to its members, than it shouldn't have to sound defensive and would've owned up immediately," Beltran said. Beltran further said LPP should be castigated for its attempts to fool the public and divert attention from Malacañang. "The LPP is trying to justify the distribution of large amounts of cash as finance assistance to its new members, but it's clear that this is not the truth. “Pampanga Gov. Panlilio clearly was unaware that there was such a system; and so was Bulacan Gov. Mendoza. The LPP is covering up for Malacañang and what was really a massive bribery campaign to secure the loyalty of local executives and lawmakers in the face of burgeoning calls for the President's resignation," Beltran said. Beltran said despite the LPP's announcement, investigations into the bribery controversy should be formalized and initiated by the House of Representatives because 180 solons have been dragged into the issue. He also said that all the LPP's members should also be compelled to give their testimony as to their knowledge to the supposed tradition and practice of the LPP to give massive amounts of cash as assistance to the programs of new members and their constituencies. - GMANews.TV