House resumes Wang Bo probe

MANILA, Philippines - The House committee on good government will resume its inquiry into allegations Chinese fugitive Wang Bo gave bribes to congressmen for the approval of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

Pampanga Rep. Oscar Rodriguez, committee chairman, yesterday said he would like to wrap up the investigation “since there has been no single piece of evidence presented during the last three hearings to support the claim of bribery.”

 “Wang Bo has denied it, immigration officials have denied it,” he said.

Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. of Dasmariñas City in Cavite said the claim that the Chinese fugitive shelled out $10 million (P450 million) for congressmen to approve the draft BBL “is incredible.”

He said it is more believable that Wang spent some amount to prevent his deportation.

Aside from $10 million, the fugitive was supposed to have given immigration officials P100 million and contributed another P100 million to the senatorial campaign of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

De Lima and immigration officials denied the allegation.

Rodriguez would have finished the inquiry three weeks ago but granted the request of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for another hearing so that closed-circuit television footage in the House could be examined for possible evidence of the alleged bribes given to congressmen.

The Romualdezes own the newspaper that reported the bribery allegations.