Duterte names congressmen in PACC corruption list

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte last night revealed the names of eight incumbent congressmen and one former legislator who have been linked to alleged corruption in public works projects, including kickbacks and influence peddling.

Duterte also ordered the relief of about a dozen district engineers of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) who were linked to the alleged anomalies.

He stressed that the inclusion of the lawmakers and engineers in the list does not automatically mean they are guilty of wrongdoing.

Duterte said he had to identify the lawmakers accused of anomalies because everyone “has the right to access information.”

The allegations were based on reports submitted to the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, which forwarded its report to him. PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica had previously said the body did not specifically investigate members of Congress, but that their names cropped up in the course of the probe.

Duterte had previously declined to name the lawmakers, saying he could not investigate members of a co-equal branch of government.

“Their names surfaced. I have to tell the people or I’d look stupid,” the President said in a televised public address last night.

The congressmen accused of conniving with district engineers to commit corruption are Josephine Ramirez Sato of Occidental Mindoro, former lawmaker Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao, Alfredo Paolo Vargas of the 5th district of Quezon City, Henry Oaminal of Misamis Occidental who is also a deputy speaker, Alyssa Sheena Tan of the 4th district of Isabela, Paul Daza of the 1st district of Northern Samar, Angelina Helen Tan of the 4th district of Quezon province, Eric Yap of ACT-CIS party-list, who is also the caretaker of the Benguet congressional district, and Geraldine Roman of the first district of Bataan.

Duterte said the list given to him does not necessarily constitute evidence against the lawmakers.

“I just want to assure everybody that the reading of your name is not a condemnation or an indictment that you are guilty of something. In the same manner that I would tell the people that do not take it as gospel truth,” Duterte said.

Addressing the congressmen, he said, “I do not condemn you. I give you the presumption of innocence.”

Duterte has identified the DPWH as one of the most corrupt government agencies, and had tasked the PACC to give priority to the department and a few other offices.

Belgica said the PACC received reports that lawmakers were among the causes of corruption in the DPWH, but he said it would be up to the President to decide whether to name those implicated.