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.
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.
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.
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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published in the Bohol Chronicle - 5/6/2007
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