DOJ Sec. Aguirre accuses high ranking officials of the Aquino administration for corruption

Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre revealed a pending case about an almost 9-billion peso worth right of way Scam in General Santos City  where two high ranking officials of the presidency of Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson, and former Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad were among the respondents of the case.

Former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad (left) and former Department of Public Works and Highways

According to Justice Sec. Aguirre, former Sec. Singson approved and filed a request for release 9.7 billion pesos worth of the government’s revenue to fund to a bogus Road Right of Way (RROW). 

On the other hand, former budget Secretary Abad, according to Sec. Aguirre, approved the funding and allowed for the release of tax-payer’s money to fund an illegal RROW.

These actions, according to Sec. Aguirre, is tantamount to criminal liability for the two officials who have been accuse d to have actively used their authority to pursue and participate in the said illegal activity.

Sec. Aguirre claimed that he is currently holding damning information against the two former members of the Aquino cabinet. 

Specifically, he said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is currently holding sworn statement from a important key witness in the case. 

The said witness allegedly comes from a criminal syndicate where officials of PNoy administration participated and colluded with.

Wilma Mamburan, Col. Chino Mamburan, Merceditas Dumlao and Nelson Ti were also individuals who were accused in the scam.

According to Sec. Aguirre, Nelson Ti functioned as the financier of the group while Domingo Lee, a relative of the Philippine Envoy to China, was very close to the former President Noynoy Aquino.

Aguirre appealed to individuals who may know anything regarding the issue to come out so that the truth will be heard through moving the case forward.

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Source: RMN