Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Raymond Palatino raised doubts over the credibility of ongoing investigations into the multi-billion peso flood control anomaly, saying lawmakers accused of corruption should not be allowed to probe their own alleged crimes.
In an exclusive interview in DZRH's Stories: Pinoy Documentary, Palatino expressed disappoinment over the ongoing probe on flood control anomaly being facilitated by officials that were also have a history of corruption.
“Tayo ay nalulungkot, nagagalit dahil paano magkakaroon ng seryosong imbestigasyon kung iyong mga dawit sa scandal ay sila mismo ang nag-i-investigate sa kanilang mga sarili,” Palatino said.
He warned that without accountability measures such as inhibition, waivers, and public disclosure of Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), the probes will lead nowhere.
“Hindi ito credible hanggat ang mga mambabatas na sangkot sa korupsyon ay sila mismo nag-iimbestiga. Ang tao ngayon naghihintay ng kongkretong aksyon,” he added.
Accountability on masterminds
Palatino expressed concern that the investigations could end up targeting only low-level players while sparing powerful masterminds.
“Nangangamba tayo na maulit lang ang nangyari noon. Mapangalanan ang ilan, makulong ang ilan pero ang mastermind, nakinabang ng malaki ay hindi napanagot,” he said.
He stressed that accountability should reach all the way to Malacañang, when asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should also be held responsible,
“Tama dahil iyan din ang hamon natin. Dapat umabot iyan hanggang Malacañang,” Palatino asserted.
The true witnesses
Palatino emphasized that the perspective of ordinary citizens, the people affected by corruption in infrastructure projects must be included in the investigation.
“The best witness sa corruption sa infrastructure project ay sila mismo,” Palatino said.
On the issue of granting witness protection to the couple Discaya, Palatino urged caution.
“Kailangang pag-aralan mabuti iyan kung talaga bang sila dapat ay maging witness, bigyan ng protection o dapat kasuhan,” he remarked.
Palatino concluded that without transparent processes and real accountability, the ongoing probes risk becoming another political spectacle.
“Ang hamon natin sa kanila ay isali ang point of view ng mamamayan. Kung walang tunay na pananagutan, hindi ito magkakaroon ng maayos na patutunguhan,” he said.
