MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Panfilo Lacson has recommended measures to enhance accountability of public officials and anti-corruption campaign amid the flood control fund mess which he described as the "largest corruption" scandal in Philippine history.
Lacson, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman, on Tuesday presented the chairman's report containing key evidence and policy recommendations drawn from seven public hearings on the scandal.
He said the panel recommended preliminary investigation or "case build up" for violation of the anti-graft law on several incumbent and former lawmakers linked to the ghost flood control projects.
Lacson did not identify them but he showed their names through a series of slides. They include fellow senators Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, former public works secretary Manuel Bonoan, former representative Zaldy Co, and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.
The committee report contains a "menu" for possible criminal charges that may be filed against those involved, including malversation of public funds, direct bribery, falsification of public documents, corruption, money laundering, and plunder.
Lacson said the committee will invite Romualdez, through the Office of the Speaker, to attend the next public hearing "so he can give his side on the issue."
He also underscored the need to bring back Co to the country so he could also shed light on his alleged involvement in the scandal.
The committee recommended amendment of the Ombudsman law and stricter penalties against government employees gambling in casinos.
The panel also proposed "defining beneficial ownership and conflict of interest so that no legislator can hide behind a corporate veil."
In a privilege speech, Lacson raised the need to finally curb the "systematic and parasitic" greed behind anomalous flood control projects.
He said the panel proposed the removal of "allocables" and "leadership funds" proposed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
"This is a pork barrel incarnate and it clouds our fiscal transparency," the Senate president pro tempore said.
