Is President Rodrigo Duterte dropping allies who helped him achieve the rejection of ABS-CBN franchise?
Two of the solons who voted against the ABS-CBN franchise application has been named by Duterte in a list of lawmakers allegedly involved in DPWH corruption.
During his weekly late-night public address, Monday, December 28, Duterte linked Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal and Isabela Congresswoman Alyssa Sheena Tan in the investigation by the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission involving corruption at the Dept. of Public Works and Highways.
“Hindi ito ebidensya na ano sila. Kaya lang lumabas yung mga pangalan nila, at kailangan kong sabihin sa mga tao otherwise I’d look stupid,” the President said.
Oaminal and Tan were two of the 70 congressmen who voted to deny and killed the ABS-CBN franchise on July 10.
Meanwhile, Oaminal in his Facebook post clarified Duterte’s tagging. The Misamis Rep. clarified that the construction company mentioned by Duterte in his speech was already sold. He also added that upon checking HSO Construction has no dealings with any government agency including DPWH.
“On the allegation that my name was included in the list of congressmen involved in DPWH corrupt activities, President Duterte said, ‘Cong. Oaminal allegedly owns a construction company, HSO Construction Corporation, its name, and has several construction projects in Misamis Occidental.’ Ang ano doon, sa district yan so it covers quite a lot…
“HSO Construction was founded in 1988, long before I entered public service in 2007. When I became Congressman, I sold all my shares in accordance with law. Upon verification, HSO Construction Corporation does not have any construction projects in all government agencies in Misamis Occidental, including DPWH.
“It saddens me that my name was included in the report, but I welcome and support the conduct of any investigation on the matter to clear my name, as I fully support the President’s anti-graft campaign.
“During my term as congressman, I have instituted positive reforms and have strongly supported the President in dismantling the drug and organized crime groups in my province, including Ozamiz City,” said Oaminal.
Tan on the other hand also vehemently denied involvement in the alleged DPWH corruption.
In her Facebook post, Tan belied the allegation by the PACC saying she never owned nor has shares in any construction company.
“There is absolutely no truth in the allegation by the PACC that I own construction companies that have been awarded with (sic) projects in my district.
“I have never owned any construction company. I do not have any shares in any construction company. This truth can easily be verified by the PACC by simply checking and validating with the concerned government agencies that they surely have access to.”
