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Ex-DPWH chief Soriquez urged to spill beans on WB mess


MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday urged former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Florante Soriquez to divulge his knowledge on the alleged anomalies surrounding the bidding of some World Bank-funded road projects in the country. Pangilinan made the statement after the Office of the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) recommended the conduct of a preliminary investigation on Soriquez and 16 other past and present DPWH officials in connection with the so-called World Bank mess. “We urge Secretary Soriquez to come clean and reveal all that the he knows regarding corruption in the WB projects," the senator said in a text message to GMANews.TV. Pangilinan said he believes Soriquez has personal knowledge about the involvement of other government officials and personalities in the alleged rigging of bids for the road projects. In an interview with GMANews.TV on Wednesday, Jalandoni said the FIO asked for a preliminary investigation of the said officials to determine if charges could be filed against them before the Sandiganbayan. “They will not be charged yet. A preliminary investigation must be conducted first. If there is probable cause, they would be charged before the Sandiganbayan. If not, then the case would be dismissed," said Jalandoni. Jalandoni said FIO's recommendation would be submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman's Preliminary Investigation Division that will conduct the probe. The said division is headed by Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV
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