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MATAPOS ilutang ang posibilidad ng pagsasauli ng 2026 National Expenditure Program (NEP) na nakitaan ng bahid ng korapsyon, ikinasa ng Kamara ang imbestigasyon kaugnay ng umano’y tangkang P8-billion firearms procurement insertion sa Philippine National Police (PNP).
“I think this was sent out today (Huwebes) na may letter as member of the Committee on Public Order and Safety si Cong. [Benny] Abante, addressed to Cong. Roland Valeriano, na magkaroon ng sariling investigation ang committee regarding dun, if I can read it, to initiate a formal investigation on the attempted insertion of P8 billion in the PNP budget for 2026 for the purchase of guns and ammunitions in violation of the Procurement Law and RA No. 6975 as amended by RA No. 8551,” ayon kay House spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante.
Nauna rito, lumiham si Manila Rep. Benny Abante Jr., kay House Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairman at Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano para hilingin na masiyasat ng nasabing komite ang naturang usapin.
“The request had already been acknowledged by Valeriano, who confirmed that his committee would take action on the matter, noting that in Valeriano’s public remarks, he committed to convene the inquiry at the soonest possible time,” sambit pa ng lady spokesperson.
“Binanggit din ito ni Congressman Valeriano kahapon na — “As Chairman, he will initiate an investigation. So, binanggit niya rin kahapon na we can expect na baka by next week magsisimula ‘yung kanyang investigation. So we will have to wait kung ‘yung pagsisimula ng committee to investigate this matter,” dagdag niya.
Base sa ilang ulat, na isang anak ng mataas na opisyal ng Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ang nasa likod ng pagnanais na magkaroon ng pondo sa ilalim ng 2026 budget ng nasa P8 billion para sa pagbili ng mga baril.
“So ang questions doon sa letter is why is a budget insertion request being facilitated by the son of an undersecretary of the agency that would approve such request. What specific law or rule did PNP Chief Torre violate that led to his relief or removal? Also, the amount requested for the intended purchase of guns is quite staggering. P8 billion for 80,000 units is P100,000 per year. What is now the status of the request-budget insertions? These are the questions in the letter,” Ani Abante.
Sinabi ni Abante na ang layunin ng House probe ay makakuha ng direktang sagot sa usapin at mabatid kung mayroong nagawang paglabag sa batas na maaaring magkaroon ng masamang implikasyon sa budgeting process. (ROMEO ALLAN BUTUYAN II)
