MANILA, Philippines – The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)  has recommended the investigation of 5 Cabinet officials over graft allegations.

In a press conference at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) complex on Tuesday, May 8, PACC commissioner Greco Belgica said the PACC has “submitted a confidential, partial report to the President.”

Belgica refused to comment if resigned tourism secretary Wanda Teo was on the list.

“It is up to the President to release [the names] to the public,” he said.

Belgica also said the agency received over 15,000 complaints since it was created. These are  formal complaints and through social media, he said.

Duterte created the PACC in October 2017 but its members were only appointed beginning January of this year.

Meanwhile, DAR is also cleaning its ranks as it investigates some 800 employees. 

DAR Undersecretary David Erro, who was at the news briefing, said that they are investigating several directors, heads of departments, and rank-and-file employees.

“The corruption in the agency has slowed down agrarian reform initiatives,” said Erro.

Several DAR officials have been linked to multi-million scams in the past. Among those charged with graft before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan are former secretary Nasser Pangandaman and former undersecretary Narciso Nieto.

Some of the most controversial cases in DAR are the alleged anomalous P200-million agribusiness program implemented in 2007, the reported misuse of P900-million Malampaya Fund  channeled to DAR, and alleged fund misuse in connection with the pork barrel scam. – Rappler.com