ANTI-CRIME AND CORRUPTION GROUP URGES BATANGAS TOWN LOCAL CHIEF EXECS TO ATTEND HOUSE’ PROBE

THE People’s Coalition Against Crime and Corruption Group (PCACCG) on Friday urged the mayor and vice mayor of Mataas na Kahoy in Batangas to attend the ongoing investigation in the House of Representatives.

The PCACCG issued the appeal after Mataas na Kahoy Mayor Janet Ilagan and  Vice Mayor Jay Manalo Ilagan were not able to attend the ongoing House’ probe.

The Ilagans were invited by Congress to shed light on the alleged misuse of public funds and irregularities in the municipality.

“They were invited to explain the allegations on misuse of public funds and other irregularities in the town,” said Antonio A. Alabata, PCACCG authorized representative.

Alabata himself had been invited in the same congressional hearing, which was conducted last Wednesday by the House Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Congressman Joseph Stephen Paduano in aid of legislation.

Congressmen Robert Raymond Estrella, Danilo Fernandez, Romeo Momo, Jose Arturo Garcia, and Roy Loyola authored House Resolution 2102, which aims to uphold transparency and accountability and to assess if amendments to procurement and auditing laws are needed to prevent future abuses. 

The investigation is also to determine the adherence to or compliance with the law.

A special fraud audit was also tasked by the committee to the Commission on Audit to set the investigation. 

The congressional hearing was set after the  people’s coalition filed a graft case against the Ilagans for alleged violation of the provisions of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mayor Ilagan denied all the allegations hurled against her.