Nograles not keen on probing colleague linked to Legacy mess

MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Prospero Nograles will not initiate moves to have Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita probed for allegedly receiving P1.8 million in “consultancy fee" from the beleaguered Legacy Consolidated Plans Inc. (LCPI). “Like any other case, there must be some kind of trigger mechanism to initiate it [investigation]," Nograles said. Zialcita for his part has denied the allegations that he received consultation fees from De los Angeles but acknowledged that his district office had received cash from LCPI as “financial assistance" to his constituents. “I have never been a consultant to the Legacy Group. I have not received a single retainer’s fee from them. None of their funds went to my bank account," he said. Allegations that Zialcita was among De los Angeles’ protectors came from two former LCPI’s executives who testified in the hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Trade and Commerce last Monday. Nograles said he has asked Zialcita to make himself available either to members of the media to defend his self, or to officials and members of the House Committee on Banks which may conduct an inquiry on the Legacy mess. “I have already personally advised Ed [Zialcita] by phone to make himself available in case the Committee on Banks or the media want to get his side and to give the leadership a copy of the official statement he has made to the media or public regarding the matter," Nograles said. For his part, Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona, chairman of the House Ethics Committee, said investigating Ziacita may not be possible at the moment as Congress is on a month-long Lenten break. - GMANews.TV