By Benjamin Pulta | Philippine News Agency
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) on Wednesday formally asked the Office of the Ombudsman to file criminal and administrative proceedings against eight former and incumbent lawmakers implicated in the flood control corruption scandal.
In a statement, ICI chair Andres Reyes Jr. identified the alleged congressmen-contractors as:
1. Former Rep. Elizaldy Co for FS Co. Builders Supply;
2. Construction Workers Solidarity Party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola for Newington Builders, Inc., Lourel Development Corp., and S-Ang General Construction and Trading, Inc.;
3. Uswag Ilonggo Party-list Rep. James Ang Jr. for IBC International Builders Corp. and Allencon Development Corp.;
4. Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay for JVN Construction and Trading;
5. Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Augustina Pancho for CM Pancho Construction, Inc.;
6. Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara for JLL Pulsar Construction Corp.;
7. Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas for Boometrix Development Corp.; and
8. Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera for Tarlac 3-G Construction and Development Corp.
“These officials appear to violate the Code of Conduct for Government Officials and the Anti-Graft (and) Corruption Act, among others. All this information is being referred for further investigation,” the ICI said.
It said these lawmakers should not be engaging in private business activities in conflict with their official duties; should not influence bids and awards; must not sway procurement processes; and should not participate in or benefit from government contracts.
“This practice should have ended decades ago. The longer we allow it to exist, the more it corrodes public trust. Let us tear down this abusive system, one by one, with every filing,” the ICI said.
The ICI said more names will be announced in the coming days. (PNA)
