Politician Involved in 35 Percent Kickbacks from Yolanda Bunkhouse

Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson on Monday said he received a tip over ‘possible anomalies’ in the construction of bunkhouses in Leyte and Eastern Samar last month when he visited the Yolanda-hit town.

The former senator said the investigation over alleged overpricing of temporary shelters being built for survivors of Super Typhoon Yolanda has been going on since last month,

Lacson said “I received information and allegations of possible anomalies and kickbacks involving at least one politician in the area colluding with contractors,” adding that his sources, whom he did not identify, “talked of 30 to 35 percent commissions.”

Public Works chief Rogelio Singson at a press briefing earlier, denied the allegation and promised to resign his post if it is proven that there was overpricing in the construction of bunkhouses.

However, Singson admitted there is a possibility that some of the specifications were not followed.

On Monday, Gma News Online, citing the Philippine Daily Inquirer, reported the alleged overpricing and substandard work on the construction of bunkhouses. The national daily broadsheet cited information from the group Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM).

The same report said Public Works director for Eastern Visayas Rolando Asis has disputed the allegation, claiming that the bunkhouses for Yolanda survivors were not overpriced, and asserted that it was priced lower than similar shelters for victims of other typhoons.

Lacson said he has been “closely” coordinating with Singson while “quietly investigating” the matter, Gma News Online reported. “I have documents pertaining to the programs of work, bills of materials and specifications… I need to compare the same with the DPWH standard specs,” Lacson said.

The Rehab czar also said that Singson promised to send him relevant documents concerning the construction of the bunkhouses.

Lacson, a former PNP chief, said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) are also called to assist in the investigation.

“We offer no second chance to people who cannot distinguish anymore between ordinary and extraordinary corruption,” the former senator said.

Super Typhoon Yolanda has destroyed over 1 million houses and claimed the lives of over 6,100 individuals when it struck central Philippines on November 2013.

Source: Gma News Online

Image Credit: newsinfo.inquirer.net