Yap hits Belgica over corruption allegations against him

ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Yap on Tuesday hit Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Greco Belgica  as he questioned the corruption allegations against him related to infrastructure projects in Benguet.

This was after President Rodrigo Duterte named Yap as among the lawmakers supposedly involved in corruption activities within the Department of Public Works and Highways which cropped up in the investigation of the PACC.

According to the President, Yap supposedly rigged the bidding process for infrastructure projects in Benguet through his agent, "exerting influence in choosing his district engineer to be able to control the awarding of projects."

Yap also allegedly intervened in the investigation against former district engineer Lorna Ricardo by calling up Belgica "to drop the case" against the district engineer.

The President nevertheless made clear that the graft allegations against the lawmakers had yet to be proven and should not be taken as "gospel truth."

In a virtual interview with reporters, Yap denied taking part in the bidding for the infrastructure projects in Benguet, where he serves as legislative caretaker.

"Pagdating ko dito bilang caretaker ng Benguet nung January 27, e halos tapos na ata lahat ng mag bidding ng project for 2020," he said.

"I'm not aware kung paano nangyayari ang bidding and ni minsan sa buong buhay ko, hindi pa ako nakapasok ng bidding ng DPWH," he added.

Yap assured that if ever he has ties with any construction firm, they have no construction projects in Benguet.

"Wala ako kasing pinapakialaman na construction firm e. Sa akin, naka-focus ako more on public service dito sa Benguet," he said.

Yap also asked Belgica if the PACC even bothered to confirm with the Office of the Ombudsman that he was indeed moving to drop the case against Ricardo.

"Tumawag ka ba sa DPWH upang alamin kung inendorso ko ba si Lorna Ricardo upang maging district engineer ng Benguet o ng ibang probinsya?" the lawmaker asked Belgica.

"Bilang PACC, you should be responsible. 'Yung ganyan kasi na papangalanan mo lang, para sa akin hindi investigation 'yan. Ang ginagawa ko ninyo ay nagwi-witch hunt kayo," he added.

Yap believes Belgica developed an ire against him after he earlier questioned the latter's move to link congressmen to corruption, considering that Belgica was sued by a group of Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC) employees of graft for allegedly sparing bigwigs in PACC probe on smuggling involving DFPC.

"Kung matatandaan nung October 29 sa isang radio interview, nasabi ko dito na nagsimula lang naman lumabas 'yung sinasabi niyang corrupt na congressman na involved sa DPWH nung lumabas 'yung issue niya tungkol sa Duty Free Philippines," he said.

"Pagkatapos nito, nagsabi siya ng statement na merong mga congressman involved sa DPWH. Ang sabi ko lang sa kanya, pangalanan niya," he added.

Because of this, Yap said he would file a House resolution in January to investigate the issue in DFPC in which Belgica was involved.

This, he said, is to show him how an investigation is properly conducted — by getting all sides of the persons involved.

"Doon ipapakita ko kay Commissioner Belgica kung gaano kapatas ang pag-iimbestiga. Hindi lang yung nag-aakusa ang kailangan mong kuhanan ng panig, kundi pati yung inaakusahan," Yap said.

"Hindi ko masasabing guilty or hindi guilty si Mr. Greco Belgica sa Duty Free Philippines na may nagsampa sa kanya ng kaso kasi hindi pa ito proven. Kami ay magkakaroon ng inquiry in aid of legislation upang magkaroon tayo tamang batas para 'yung PACC, 'yung mga nag-iimbestiga, ay hindi nasasangkot sa mga anomalya," he added.

GMA News Online has reached out to Belgica for his reaction on Yap's statements, but he has yet to respond as of posting time.—AOL, GMA News