Davao City First District Representative Karlo Nograles would rather have the Senate look into the alleged P440-million bribery claim against the House of Representatives (HOR), saying that congressmen have already become “too emotional” over the issue.
“Understandably, the House inquiry has become too emotional since the institution is at the receiving end of these accusations. So much so that the witnesses have refused to talk,” Nograles said, referring to the two hearings so far conducted by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
“I suggest that the Senate invite the witnesses to speak to them in executive session. Maybe then we can really get to the bottom of this,” said Nograles.
The House inquiry has delved on a controversial Manila Standard Today report claiming that HOR members received millions in “payola” or bribe money in exchange for the quick passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), a pet measure of the five-year-old Aquino administration.
The money was reportedly raised by alleged crime lord Wang Bo, who is under the custody of Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials. Reports said Wang also tried to bribe associate commissioners Abdullah Mangotara and Gilberto Repizo to the tune of P100 million for his release.
Wang, the involved journalists as well as BI top head honchos attended last Tuesday’s Committee hearing which gave a glimpse to the lawmakers’ anger over the bribing allegation.
The Davao lawmaker also found it improper that the one being accused in the issue – the congressmen – are also the ones carrying out the investigation.
“I have no doubt on the integrity of the House and the good intentions of the representatives pushing for this probe. But I think that the House is not the proper venue considering that it is the HOR that is the subject of investigation,” Nograles said.
MANILA BULLETIN
