Sara Duterte questions ‘silence’ of concerned groups on cash delivery claims

Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday questioned the supposed deafening silence of civil society groups, religious leaders, and lawmakers about the claims of the 18 alleged former Marines that they delivered suitcases of cash to certain individuals on instructions of former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co.

Duterte, who herself is facing impeachment complaints for alleged misuse of public funds, among others, stressed that anger over the issue of corruption should not be selective.

“Sadyang nakakabingi ang katahimikan ng mga civil society groups na dati ay mabilis maglabas ng pahayag, ng mga religious leaders na handang manindigan sa usapin ng moralidad, at ng mga mambabatas na nagsasabing sila ay para sa transparency at accountability,” the Vice President said in a statement.

(The silence of civil society groups who used to be quick in issuing statements, of religious leaders who are willing to stand up on issues of morality, and of lawmakers who say they are for transparency and accountability is deafening.)

“Dagdag pa rito, tila walang interes o agarang hakbang mula sa kasalukuyang administrasyon na siyasatin ang katotohanan hinggil sa mga bilyon-bilyong suhol kaugnay ng flood control, ng ICC, at ng impeachment efforts laban sa akin,” she added.

(There also seems to be no interest or immediate action from the current administration to investigate the truth behind the billions in kickbacks related to flood control, the ICC, and the impeachment efforts against me.)

To recall, lawyer Levito Baligod and the 18 ex-Marines accused several individuals of allegedly receiving cash from Co.

They also alleged that Co and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV funded the hotel accommodations of International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators, and that cash were delivered to the house of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in Ilocos Norte.

Malacañang and various personalities implicated in the alleged payoffs have denied the allegations, while the ICC Office of the Prosecutor said that its activities are funded by the ICC itself.

For the Vice President, investigations about alleged corruption issues should not just be limited to a few.

“Hindi maaaring pumili kung sino lamang ang iimbestigahan. At hindi maaaring manahimik tuwing ang mga sangkot ay malapit sa kapangyarihan,” Duterte said.

(You can't choose who to investigate. And you can't remain silent when those involved are close to power.)

“Ang pera ng bayan ay hindi dapat inilalagay sa maleta, at ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat inilalagay sa katahimikan,” she added.

(The people's money should not be put in a suitcase, and the truth should not be kept in silence.)

On Wednesday, the House committee on justice found the impeachment complaints against Duterte sufficient in substance. 

The impeachment complaints mainly accuse the Vice President of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, among others, over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential fund, and threat to kill the President and his family. —AOL, GMA Integrated News