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NBI help sought in unmasking politicians in WB report


MANILA, Philippines - Senator Miriam Defensor on Monday said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should help in identifying politicians and other officials mentioned in the World Bank report as facilitators of collusion in rigged biddings. Santiago, chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee, said the Senate alone is not authorized to conduct field investigations like the NBI. She said her committee needs documentary and testimonial evidence of collusion before it can recommend prosecution to the Ombudsman. “The NBI should activate its assets and confidential informants to find out who in the Public Works Department is helping private contractors to corner public biddings of World Bank-funded projects,” Santiago said. Santiago said the World Bank report should be taken at face value since it is coming from a respected agency. “Under our Rules of Court, we have to presume that it has performed its official duty in the regular manner,” she said. Santiago said she has written Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez a letter requesting him to order the NBI to conduct a “confidential investigation” on the issue. “Because the NBI belongs to the executive branch, I cannot order it to investigate. I have to make a request through the justice secretary who has control and supervision over the NBI,” she said. Santiago said she had given a copy of her letter to Gonzalez to NBI Director Nestor Mantaring. - GMANews.TV
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