Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said denying that corruption exists in the government will not help solve the issue.
The former Speaker of the House reacted to the revelation that some 12 members of the House of Representatives allegedly requested and received kickbacks from the government’s public works projects.
“It’s not helpful if we’re in denial,” Cayetano said.
[So] I think it is very important we have an independent, open and transparent investigation.”
Cayetano also disclosed that there have been leads linking congressmen and DPWH officials in corruption schemes.
“Kasi meron pong mga nasa DPWH at even sa congressman na ‘yung lifestyle at ‘yung dami ng pera, kaiba talaga po sa kapasidad niya,” he said.
[There are people in the DPWH, even congressmen, whose lifestyles and wealth exceeded their financial capacity.]
However, Cayetano believes this did not mean that all congressmen were corrupt.
“To say that all congressmen are corrupt is very unfair at hindi totoo. Para mong sinabing ang lahat ng pari, lahat ng businessman, at ng media korap,” Cayetano said.
“Let us not jump into conclusions porke sinabi ‘yung pangalan ng kongresista, huwag nating sabihing totoo na kaagad ‘yun. Paano kung kalaban niya ang nag[papalabas] nu’n?”
[It’s like saying all priests, all businessmen, and media members were corrupt. When a congressman is implicated, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. What if the accusations are from political rivals?]
