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House Deputy Speaker Jefferson Khonghun is pushing for a motu proprio investigation by the House of Representatives into the alleged remittance of hundreds of millions of pesos into Cale88, a company linked to Vice President Sara Duterte's husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
"Definitely kailangan ’yang imbestigahan, kailangan ’yang tingnan dahil importante na makita iyong involvement ng China, lalong-lalo na doon sa mga kumpanya na pag-aari ng ating bise presidente. Dahil katulad nga ng sinabi ng Department of (National) Defense, it is a national security risk na kailangan tignan," Khonghun said in an online interview today.
"Gusto nga naming i-motu proprio investigation na lang yan. Para kahit na walang resolusyon na ifa-file, makakapag-investigate ang House," he added.
When asked when the investigation will be conducted, Khonghun replied, "Sana magsimula na during recess para at least nalalaman na natin kung ano yung totoo."
Congress is currently on recess until November 8.
Among the House committees that may be involved in the investigation are the Committee on National Defense and the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
When asked if Vice President Duterte will be invited to the hearings, Khonghun replied, "Well, it's up to the committee handling the investigation if they will invite the Vice President. Ang problema kasi, kahit imbitahan mo naman ang bise presidente, hindi naman nagpupunta. Hindi nagpunta sa impeachment, hindi nagpunta sa committee hearing. Napakagaling umiwas ng ating bise presidente. So if ever na magkaroon ng hearing, hindi natin ine-expect na pupunta siya."
Khonghun also said it is up to the committees if Carpio and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV will also be invited.
House Impeachment Prosecutor and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, who chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, supports the investigation.
"Yes, dahil siyempre, gusto rin natin malaman kung bakit pumasok yung ganoong kalaki galing sa mga offshore accounts. Hindi lang naman ito tungkol sa isang bansa. Dahil kung nakikita po natin yung account, maraming bansa ang pinanggalingan ng mga account," Chua said in a separate online interview today.
In case the investigation is covered by the sub judice rule of the Senate impeachment court, Chua said he will assign one of his vice chairs to conduct the hearings. —LDF, GMA News