Probe sought into whiff of corruption in Benguet chicken dung trade

BENGUET, Philippines — Corruption allegations surrounding the chicken dung trade in Benguet are causing a stink and the provincial governor wants the National Bureau of Investigation to sniff around.

Benguet Gov. Crescencio Pacalso has approved a call for an independent investigation into allegations that a portion of parking fees collected from chicken dung traders in Tublay town are being diverted to members of the provincial board. 

Chicken dung is traded for use on farms. La Trinidad has banned the trade but it is still allowed in neighboring Tublay. 

The Benguet provincial board, which has said it is being dragged into a malicious allegation, has asked for a probe into the supposed fund diversion.

"This body lacks knowledge sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of such allegation. Hence, an independent task force is necessary to investigate such allegation and to eventually clear everybody, who is allegedly benefiting from such payola," the board resolution read.

Pacalso has written NBI acting regional director Sixto Burgos Jr. to probe the alleged payola.

"Since the issue on the alleged payola was directed to some officials in this province and being the line agency under the Department of Justice which serves as the premier investigation agency of our government, we are seeking your assistance to investigate the matter," Pacalso said in his letter.
 
The Benguet governor said the lingering issue on the supposed chicken dung payola must be addressed to clear the board members' names.

In several meetings, members of the provincial board have denied receiving money from the chicken dung parking fees that a concerned citizen had written them about in March.