The government-wide corruption “task force” should not exempt any powerful officials from its investigations, a lawmaker reminded authorities.
Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said that no one should be exempted from possible probes, despite the latest remarks from President Rodrigo Duterte that may make some public officials “untouchable.”
Lagman was referring to Duterte’s consistent defense of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar.
“It should involve everybody, and no one should be exempted from the coverage of this anti-corruption campaign. I think the President should not preempt the decision of any graft-busting body by exempting from its coverage certain personalities,” Lagman said.
“I am not saying that Secretary Villar and Secretary Duque are under corrupt charges. But they should not be exempted from the inquiry to be conducted by this super graft body,” he added. “It appears that the statement of the President already prejudged that they are not subject to the jurisdiction of the super committee, because the president has cleared them already.”
The Justice Department however gave their assurance that Duque and Villar will not be exempted from the investigation.
