LINGAYEN–Why fear, if you are not guilty?

This was the question posed by Dante Jimenez, chairman of the Presidential Anti- Corruption Commission (PACC) to some of the 46 officials and ex-officials, labeled as narco politicians in a list made public last month by President Rodrigo Duterte, who are still questioning their inclusion in the list.

The PACC officials held a meeting and dialogue with regional directors of government agencies to explain their mandate of going after corrupt public officials as directed by President Duterte.   

PACC Chairman Jimenez with Executive Director Bringas and Commissioner Luna. (CSR) 

During a press conference on April 16 at Purok Villa Marcela here, the PACC officials were informed that the Celestes issued a statement that the inclusion of Rep. Jesus Celeste in the list was a product of political maneuvering.  

To which Executive Director Eduardo Bringas, a lawyer, replied: “It’s okay. If this is their opinion, we respect it”

But he affirmed that the narco pol list was based on evidence and on validated intelligence report from various agencies of government.   

There were many in the list but only 46 have so far been validated, he added.  

Bringas further said that PACC, being a member of the inter-agency committee created by President Duterte to look into the cases of the narco politicians, will conduct lifestyle check on the politicians and ex-politicians in the list.

In line with its mandate, PACC is working closely with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and will look into the assets and net worth of the listed officials of these people based on their submitted SALN.

Their SALN, according to Jimenez, will be compared with the incomes that they earned as public officials and if there is a big discrepancy, they will be asked to explain, assuring that due process will be observed.

 He reiterated that if those in the narco list did not commit any wrong, they need not worry as “truth will eventually set them free”.

At the same time, Commissioner Emmanuel Luna said only administrative cases have so far been filed against those in the narco list but the criminal cases will follow as soon as the case build up on them is completed. 

Luna also said that Executive Order No. 45, as amended by Executive Order No. 75, has given PACC additional power to evaluate intelligence reports.

Meanwhile Jimenez ordered P/Colonel Winston Lopez to look into the pleas of families of alleged victims of heinous crimes committed in Bolinao.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources was also directed to investigate the reported illegal reclamation of the sea in Bolinao for a resort.

At the same time the DSWD was also ordered by PACC to verify that some senior citizens were not being given social benefits (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments