2 Cabinet men face probe

PACC implicates them in corrupt practices

Malacañang said President Duterte would order an independent investigation on two members of the Cabinet who were allegedly involved in corrupt practices as claimed by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Office of the President

has yet to receive a report from the PACC. He assured that President Duterte will validate the report once they receive it.

“Na kay Presidente ‘yan. Siyempre, papa-imbestigahan ni Presidente.

Ipapa-validate niya (It’s up to the President. But he will order an investigation. He will have the report validated),” he said.

“Siyempre, may independent pang validation (Of course there would still be an independent validation),” he added.

In August this year, PACC Commissioner and Spokesman Greco

Belgica said they were investigating two Cabinet members for corruption due to complaints received by their office.

He, however, declined to identify the Cabinet members, saying it did not mean that they were already corrupt just because there were complaints filed against them.

He also refused to give

specific details about the accusations but said the complaints were filed by private persons.

“It’s unfair to mention them and make them appear corrupt. Hindi dahil sinampahan ka ng kaso, guilty ka na po (You’re not immediately guilty just because a case was filed against you),” Belgica said.

Belgica, however, said that the officials have been cooperating with the PACC’s probe, which was already nearing completion when he made the statement.

He said that once the PACC has concluded its investigation and if they found basis, they will submit a report to the President and file a case before the Office of the Ombudsman.