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DELA SERNA |
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The
three Bohol congressmen are challenged by former OIC
Gov. Victor dela Serna to open their bank accounts including
that of their immediate family to prove that they have
not enriched themselves through their pork barrel allocations.
In
a press statement, Dela Serna claimed that each congressman
received an average of P50 million every year in pork
barrel funds or a combined total of P1.05 billion considering
the number of years representatives Edgar Chatto, Roberto
Cajes and Eladio Jala had been in office.
Both Chatto and Cajes are running for re-election to
serve their final three-year term while Jala is on his
way out.
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Dela
Serna, in his press statement, could only present the alleged
questionable purchase of second-hand computer units aside
from the usual speculations of kickbacks in projects facilitated
by the solons.
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Dela
Serna alleged that Chatto, Cajes and Jala have "spent
through their pork barrel funds this year to buy obsolete
and second-hand computers at the price of P80,000 per
unit." These computers were reportedly acquired
through the Department of Education.
Accordingly, these computers are actually worth P8,000.
The
former OIC governor stated that he is ready to prepare
a legal document for Chatto, Cajes and Jala to waive
their rights under the Bank Secrecy Law.
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With
the waiver, bank accounts of the solons including those of
their spouses and children can be scrutinized.
"In
the event that no ill-gotten wealth is discovered," dela
Serna stated, "I will apologize" personally to the
three congressmen and that they are indeed "beyond reproach."
"HARRASSMENT"
Reacting
to Dela Serna's statement, Rep. Chatto defended himself calling
the former OIC governor's latest tirade as harassment.
Chatto
criticized dela Serna for "generalizing" all congressmen
as "thieves".
However,
in another press statement as a rejoinder to Chatto's comment,
dela Serna stated that a refusal to open their bank accounts
to public scrutiny leads to "an escapable conclusion"
that the congressmen are "hiding stolen money".
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