Ex-PAMPANGA MAYOR, BGY CHAIRMEN ASK TO PROBE P611-M INFRA PROJECT

BY KEVIN GALANG

MEXICO, Pampanga — Former Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang and 18 barangay captains in this town have asked former President and now Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to investigate Pampanga 3rd district Rep. and deputy speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. for possible violation of the Anti-Graft Law.

The proposed probe is in connection with the P611.587 million flood control contract awarded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the construction company owned by Gonzales.

In a press conference in this town last Wednesday, Tumang cited the complaint filed last month by Bgy. Sto. Cristo chairman Terence Napao to the Office of the Ombudsman over the multi-million pesos contract bagged by the A. D. Gonzales Jr. Construction and Trading Co., Inc. for flood control projects in this town, in Bacolor and the City of San Fernando.

Tumang also showed a copy of the resolution signed by 18 barangay captains here asking Arroyo to seek a congressional inquiry over the issue.

“Ipinasya namin na dumulog sa dating Pangulo ng Republika at ngayon ay kinatawan ng pangalawang Distrito ng Pampanga Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo na magpasimula sa pagsasagawa ng hiwalay na imbestigasyon sa Kongreso hinggil sa kaso sa Ombudsman laban kay Congressman Aurelio D. Gonzales Jr. dahil sa posibleng paglabag sa Republic Act 3019 o ang Anti-Graft and Corruption Practices Act,” the village chairmen said in their resolution.

They also manifested their full support to Napao for bringing the matter to the Ombudsman.

The barangay leaders said the Securities and Exchange Commission has attested that the construction company is owned by the Gonzales family and being run by the solon’s children and family members. Its office, they added, is located right beside the house of the lawmaker in San Fernando.

Tumang asked Gonzales to let the House of Representatives conduct an inquiry into the flood control project and not use his position as deputy speaker to influence the inquiry being sought by the punong barangays here.

“Sana ay magbitiw muna sa pagiging deputy speaker si Congressman Gonzales upang hindi niya maimpluwensyahan kung may isasagawang pagdinig tungkol sa involvement ng construction company ng pamilya nya sa P611 million flood control project sa aming bayan at sa Bacolor at San Fernando,” Tumsang said.

This reporter tried but failed to get comments from Gonzales.