Bello, Lapeña, Quintayo under Palace investigation

AN OFFICIAL of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) on Monday said the commission is currently investigating corruption allegations against Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, Director-General Isidro S. Lapeña of the Technical and Skills Development Authority, and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) chairperson Leonor T. OraldeQuintayo.

PACC Commissioner Manuelito Luna told Palace reporters in a phone patch interview that Mr. Bello, Mr. Lapeña, and Ms. Quintayo are being investigated, adding that the PACC is also investigating corruption complaints against some officials in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Department of Finance (DoF).

Asked if the officials being probed include Secretaries Mark A. Villar and Carlos G. Dominguez III, Mr. Luna said: “May mga tao sa mga departments na ‘yan na iniimbestigahan namin. Hindi secretaries. May mga director-level, RDOs (regional director of operations).” (There are individuals in those departments whom we investigate, but they are not secretaries. There are director-level [officials], RDOs).

In a phone message, PACC Chairman Dante L. Jimenez confirmed Mr. Luna’s disclosure.

Mr. Luna said, “Si Lapeña, motu proprio ‘yun, in connection doon sa magnetic lifters.” (Mr. Lapeña is under motu proprio investigation in connection with the magnetic lifters [found in Cavite that allegedly contained P11 billion in methamphetamine or shabu]).

As for Mr. Bello and Ms. Quintayo, he said: “May complaints sa amin laban sa kanila (We have received complaints against them).”

Mr. Luna cited complaints of corruption and neglect of duty against Ms. Quintayo.

“May mga leaders ng IP (indigenous peoples) na nag-complain na parang kumakampi siya sa isang grupo na hindi legitimate, tapos yung pera doon nirelease,” Mr. Luna said. (There are IP leaders who complained that a certain illegitimate group favored by the Chairperson had received funds from the commission). “Plus neglect of duty kasi may mga (there are) IP... who say that they are being left out. Hindi inaasikaso

(Their concerns are not being addressed).”

Sought for comment, lawyer Erwin M. Caliba, executive assistant to Ms. Quintayo, said in a phone interview the NCIP Chair “welcomes” the investigation.

“She welcomes any investigation to be conducted by the PACC. ‘Yun ‘yung reaction niya (That is her reaction). We will be cooperating with the PACC for whatever investigation that they will be conducting,” he said.