Mindanao solons to tackle right-of-way scam

Deputy House Speaker and South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez said Friday the meeting was set on Dec. 12 or a day before the House of Representatives ends its session this year. (Photo by Coat of Arms of the Philippines.svg: Vectorized by Zachary Harden (Zscout370).Seal of the Philippine House of Representatives.png: The original uploader was Exec8 at English Wikipedia.Later version(s) were uploaded by RNAlonto, SunKing at English Wikipedia /* derivative work: NikNaks – Own work based on: House of Representatives / Congress of the Philippineshttp, Public Domain)

GENERAL SANTOS CITY— Mindanao lawmakers will meet next week to discuss the alleged multibillion road right-of-way (RROW) scam in this city and the neighboring areas and other pressing concerns.

Deputy House Speaker and South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez said Friday the meeting was set on Dec. 12 or a day before the House of Representatives ends its session this year.

He said they will look into possible interventions, among them the conduct of a legislative inquiry on the RROW scam.

“This is not only a Region 12 issue, there are many other RROW issues in Mindanao. So we will look into some measures and discuss how to go about them,” he said in a radio interview.

Hernandez clarified that House leaders have not yet formally taken up the matter as they are presently focused on the passage of the 2018 national budget and the tax reform measures.

He said no resolution has been filed yet calling for an investigation and there was no moto propio initiative from House committee on good government regarding the scam.

But he said the House leadership is closely following the issue and a formal inquiry might be set early next year.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II disclosed two weeks ago an alleged scam involving some P8.7 billion in RROW settlements in the city and neighboring areas based on supposed fictitious and fabricated documents.

He has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the scam, which was based on revelations made by whistleblower Rodolfo Catapang Jr.

Catapang, who hails from this city, said the fake claims were made by a syndicate that he was previously a part of and involved prominent personalities, among them Eldon Cruz, brother-in-law of former President Benigno S.

Aquino III.

Hernandez said they fully support the DOJ’s initiatives and the investigation being conducted by the NBI.

In July, House members of Region 12 or Soccsksargen sent a letter to Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar urging the latter to look into the alleged fake RROW claims and settlements in the area.

It was signed by Hernandez, South Cotabato first district and General Santos City Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., Sultan Kudarat first district Rep. Suharto Mangundadatu, Sultan Kudarat second district Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr., Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, Maguindanao first district and Cotabato City Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, North Cotabato first district Rep. Jesus Sacdalan, North Cotabato seond district Rep. Nancy Catamco and North Cotabato third district Rep. Jose Tejada.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar already ordered the pullout of around P4.8 billion RROW funds for Region 12 pending the proper validation of the RROW claims and the investigation on the scam.

“This is a very important concern for us here in Region 12 because it involves a lot of money that could have benefited the people, especially the poor in many ways,” Hernandez said.

He said the reported fraudulent settlements that already reached P8.7 billion and the pending P4.8 billion RROW claims is already equivalent to the region’s annual infrastructure budget.