Lawmakers needs to be held liable, says priest

Jaro Archdiocesan Social Motion Heart Director Monsignor Meliton Oso

MANILA, Philippines — As calls for an unbiased fee to research alleged flood management anomalies proceed to realize momentum, Jaro Archdiocesan Social Motion Heart Director Monsignor Meliton Oso emphasised the necessity to maintain not solely contractors and Division of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel accountable, but in addition lawmakers for his or her position within the mess.

Oso mentioned that whereas contractors and erring DPWH officers ought to face punishment for the irregularities, corrupt senators and congressmen ought to equally be uncovered for his or her wrongdoings.

“Why are contractors being grilled whereas lawmakers stroll free? Why solely goal contractors?” Oso requested as he scoffed on the ongoing Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into the matter.

He careworn that “proponents of those initiatives—the congressmen and senators—should even be investigated,” noting that funding for such undertakings is normally, if not at all times, permitted by lawmakers by price range insertions.

Oso mentioned the “systemic” corruption in authorities can solely be addressed if the “large fries” are held accountable, and this can not occur when investigations are performed by lawmakers.

“A congressman investigating one other congressman, a senator investigating one other senator – all of them have the identical dust of their palms,” he added.

Citing a earlier assertion by Sen. Panfilo Lacson that “everybody has their very own slice of the cake,” Oso alleged that members of Congress revenue greater than contractors from substandard and “ghost” initiatives.

He claimed that senators and congressmen supposedly obtain 20 to 25 p.c in commissions from initiatives funded by their price range insertions, whereas contractors earn solely 10 p.c once they shortchange the federal government.

“Their accountability is far higher. In the event you steal from me, I alone am affected. However should you steal from the nationwide coffers, you rob your entire nation, particularly the poor,” he mentioned, noting that the alleged P1.9 trillion misplaced to corruption from the irregular initiatives may have as an alternative helped 14.4 million poor households with meals, roads, and primary companies.

“Flood management is simply the tip of the iceberg. There are additionally colleges, roads, and even bridges which might be already sinking,” he added.

He additionally appealed to personal residents, engineers, and professionals to show anomalies of their areas by the “Sumbong sa Panglo” web site.