Pacquiao digs deeper into P8.7-B GenSan scam, to invite Aquino in-law, Abad, Singson

Senator Manny Pacquiao recently made a move to have former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, and former President Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino III’s brother-in-law Eldon Cruz, to an investigation regarding the alleged right-of-way scam.

The scam was about the alleged release of P8.7 billion as compensation to the people affected by the project to expand the nation highway in General Santos City, Pacquiao’s hometown.

Pacquiao claims that all three persons mentioned was involved in the scam and has set a hearin on Monday, December 11.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao / Photo credits to the owner

Sen. Manny Pacquiao / Photo credits to the owner

"Kasama (silang tatlo). Ngayon ipapadala ‘yung invitation. Kasama silang lahat. Kasi P8.7 billion ang pinag-uusapan, hindi daan-daang milyon ‘yan, kung hindi bilyon ‘yung pinag-uusapan dyan. Hindi ito biro,” Pacquiao told reporters on Tuesday, December 5.

"We can't make any conclusion now because we are still going to investigate, to hold a hearing in aid of legislation. Somebody has to be liable for the huge amount of money," he added.

Florencio Abad / Rogelio Singson / Photo credits to the owner

He mentions how he has studies the documents and found that the details do not seem to make sense. He mentioned that the beneficiaries of the compensation seem to be fake as he was not familiar with any of the names in the list.

Eldon Cruz, husband of Ballsy Aquino-Cruz / Photo credits to the owner

“Ni-review ko lahat. Grabe! (Kaya) gusto ko maimbestigahan, matanong. Ang dami kong mga katanungan. Mabulaga na lang kayo sa Monday, (may) mga evidence, mga tanong na talagang hindi mo masikmura,” he said.

"Sabi ko, ang liit-liit ng GenSan, hindi ko makilala itong mga ito? Hindi (mga) taga GenSan at kung makikita mo ang mga papeles, iisa lang ang gumawa, pare-pareho lahat. Imposible masyado ba,” he said.

“Yung mga papers na meron ako, nakakagalit eh,” Pacquiao said.

He also says how this is not small matter as P8.7 billion is very big money. He also divulges that all 20 land owners who allegedly received the compensation had about same size of 713 square meters of land, which to him does not make sense.

“I'll give you one example: all 20 owners of lands, they have the exact same size of 713 [square meters]? That's just one example," Pacquiao said.

“So ‘yan ang tatanungin natin. Kailangan may managot dito sa malaking pera na nawala,” he said.

“Kailangan may managot dito. Sa atin, hindi tayo namemersonal kung hindi, ‘yan ang trabaho natin as legislators, as government official. Pay may corruption, kailangan ihinto natin,” the senator said.

It is also noted that all things mentioned by Pacquiao is similar to that of the alleged witness, Roberto Catapang Jr, who mentioned that all the names in the beeficiaries list do not exist.

Abad has denied the issue and Singson has not given any comment.

Meanwhile, the son of Cruz, Jiggy, has denied the issue against his father.

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Source: Rappler