Abad, Singson investigated for road scam – DOJ
ormer Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson could be held liable for their alleged involvement in the
road right of way (RROW) scam in General Santos City, said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II yesterday.
“Former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad who apparently approved the release of payment for illegal RROW claims as requested by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson may also face potential criminal liability,” Aguirre said in a statement.
Aguirre said the scam was revealed by a male witness involved in the scheme which is now being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“Consequently, I have instructed the NBI to continue its case build-up in order to further strengthen the case which most likely will include several high ranking officials of the Aquino administration,” he said.
The Secretary explained the syndicate involved in the scam, which begun way back in 2009, submits fake land titles of non-existent owners to allow them to claim from the DPWH just compensation for the expropriation of lands which will be occupied for various government road projects.
“From 2009 when the syndicate started to operate, the members of this syndicate were able to process more than 300 folders containing fake road-rightof-way amounting to more or less billion,” he learned.
Aguirre said the witness was able to present to him original copies of all of the 300 fake sets of documents.
“We have information that one claim for ‘just compensation’ amounts to million pesos,” he noted.
The witness named several persons involved in syndicate, namely, Wilma Mamburam, Col. Chino Mamburan, Merceditas Dumlao and Nelson Ti.
“Our witness further revealed that Mr. Nelso Ti, the financier of the group is a close relative of Domingo Lee, Philippine Envoy to China, and is supposedly close to former President Benigno Aquino III,” Aguirre said.
The witness also revealed the syndicate was able to accomplish the criminal acts with the help of several public officials from the DPWH, Bureau of Internal Revenue, the City Assessor’s Office of General Santos, the Registry of Deeds, the Commission on Audit and the Regional Trial Courts whom he identified as having participated in the processing, approval and eventual release of payments to cover these dubious claims.
“Based on their signatures in the documents submitted to the NBI and on the sinumpaang salaysay of our witness, some high ranking officials of the previous administration may have potential liabilities like former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson who apparently approved and requested the release of payment of fake RROW claims,” said Aguirre.
“Former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad who apparently approved the release of payment for illegal RROW claims as requested by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson may also face potential criminal liability,” he added.
At the moment, Aguirre declined to identify the witness but promised to present him and his sworn statement before the media by next week.