MANILA, Philippines – Mariing itinanggi ni Senador Mark Villar na siya o ang kanyang pamilya ay walang “direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest in any company participating in DPWH projects.”
Inilabas ni Villar ang pahayag matapos sabihin ni Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla na may paunang imbestigasyon na ginagawa kay Villar kaugnay ng kabuuang P18 bilyon na kontrata sa imprastraktura na iginawad ng gobyerno sa kanyang pinsan.
“Let me be unequivocal: I have no direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest in any company participating in DPWH projects. The official record will confirm that none of my relatives acquired any contracts from 2016 to 2021, during my tenure as Secretary,” saad ni Villar.
Sinabi ni Remulla na tinitingnan ng Department of Justice si Villar hindi lamang bilang isang mambabatas kundi bilang isang dating kalihim ng Department of Public Works and Highways, na nangangasiwa sa imprastraktura.
Bago siya mahalal bilang senador noong 2022, si Villar ay naging DPWH Secretary mula 2016 hanggang 2021 sa ilalim ng Duterte administration.
Ayon kay Villar, above-board ang kanyang DPWH stint.
“My focus then was singular: to implement deep-seated reforms and rebuild public trust… I have full faith that my service record in those years bears witness to this focus and commitment,” aniya.
Nitong Miyerkules, kinumpirma ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) na maaaring maimbitahan si Villar sa kanilang imbestigasyon sa maanomalyang flood control projects sa bansa.
Sinabi ni Villar na tinatanggap niya ang naturang pagsisiyasat.
“I fully support the investigation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. Furthermore, to institutionalize these practices, we will be filing a bill to mandate universal drone monitoring for all major government projects,” aniya. RNT/MND
