By NG Seruela
The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) asserted that Senator Manny Pacquiao’s allegations of corruption in various government agencies are “inconclusive.”
In today’s (July 5) Laging Handa public briefing, PACC Chairperson Greco Belgica said Pacquiao’s claims of corruption have long been part of the agency’s investigation.
“Mayroon na po kaming [ongoing] investigation sa mga departamentong nabanggit po ni Sen. Manny [Pacquiao],” he said.
Belgica pushed that the senator’s statements are “not yet ripe” and additional documents and evidence are needed to prove his allegations. He also said that he does not know where to start on the investigation since he needs Pacquiao as he is the proponent of the issues.
“Basically, hindi pa conclusive ang inilabas ni Sen. Manny…These are allegations at ang mga dokumentong ipapadala po niya ay pag-aaralan namin.”
“Medyo hilaw [ang statement ni Sen. Pacquiao] para mag-conclude [na may corruption dahil papa-imbestigahan pa lang niya]… The burden of proof lies with him. Si [Sen. Pacquiao] ang dapat magpatunay sa kanyang alegasyon ng corruption,” he added.
However, the agency assured that the senator’s allegations will be treated the “same” with all the complaints reported to the PACC.
Meanwhile, the PACC Chief strongly disagreed with Pacquiao’s statement of corruption being doubled under the current administration. Belgica called the statement “incorrect and unfounded.”
“Ang nag-doble po sa administrasyong Duterte ay ang efforts to fight corruption… 45 na po ang sinibak ng Pangulo na high-ranking government officials. 150 [plus] na po ang kinasuhan ng PACC sa Office of the Ombudsman as of May and it’s growing,” he said.
“13,000 issues ng corruption at reklamo na po ang inaksyunan successfully ng PACC since 2018,” he added. -rir
