Inirekomenda ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) sa Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) ang pagpapataw ng criminal at administrative cases laban sa isang dati at pitong kasalukuyang kongresista na diumano’y may kinalaman sa maanonamalyang flood control projects sa bansa.

Sa briefing na isinagawa ng ahensya nitong Miyerkules, Nobyembre 26, sinabi ni ICI chair Andres Reyes, Jr. na sakop umano ng kanilang joint referral ang 1,300 infrastructure projects mula 2016 hanggang 2024, na may kinalaman sa ilang mga kongresista.

“The subject of this joint referral is the 1,300 infrastructure projects awarded from 2016 to 2024, to contractors that are related to House of Representatives members,” saad ni Reyes.

Narito ang listahan ng mga dati at kasalukuyang kongresista na pinakakasuhan ng ICI:

1. Ex-Rep. Zaldy Co

2. Rep. Edwin Gardiola

3. Rep. James Ang Jr.

4. Rep. Jernie Nisay

5. Bulacan 2nd District Rep. Augustina Pancho

6. Cagayan 3rd District Rep. Joseph Lara

7. Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Matugas

8. Tarlac 3rd District Rep. Noel Rivera

Binanggit din ni Reyes ang nasasaad sa Article 6, Section 14 ng 1987 Constitution, kung saan sinasabing hindi dapat magkaroon ng “financial interest” ang mga kongresista habang sila ay nasa puwesto.

“Members of Congress are barred from having a financial interest directly or indirectly in any government contract, franchise, or special privilege during their term of office,” ani Reyes.

Matatandaang kamakailan lamang, inirekomenda rin ng ICI at Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) ang pagsasampa ng kasong plunder, graft, at indirect bribery laban kina dating House Speaker Martin Romualdez at dating Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co.

MAKI-BALITA: DPWH, ICI nagrekomendang kasuhan ng graft, plunder, indirect bribery sina Romualdez, Co-Balita

Vincent Gutierrez/BALITA