GOV. Gwendolyn Garcia earlier appointed National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 Regional Director Medardo de Lemos as head of the fact finding committee looking into Capitol’s controversial purchase of the Balili property.

The governor gave the committee one month to finish the investigation but more than a month has passed and nothing has been heard about it. Maybe the committee is still in the process of completing the probe.

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I already expressed reservations about the investigation and am worried about a possible whitewash considering the composition of the committee. The other members are Capitol consultants and Provincial Board members closely identified with the governor.

These Board members traveled with the governor abroad on several occasions and are courting her endorsement and support when they run for a higher position in next year's election.

The inclusion of the Board members in the committee is also questionable because the Provincial Board itself should be investigated for its members’ role in the Balili lot purchase. I think they were remiss in their task.

Had the Board members conducted an ocular inspection on the property before they passed a resolution authorizing the governor to purchase the lot, they could have discovered the actual condition of the property. But the Board members merely relied on the report of Capitol’s appraisal committee.

I said this before and I will say it again. The Office of the Governor, the Provincial Board and the appraisal committee should be the focus of the committee investigation. They are all liable for this highly questionable transaction.

Then there is this report that de Lemos and third district Rep. Pablo John Garcia, the governor's younger brother, are fraternity brothers. Not only that, Capitol recently hosted a recognition party for NBI 7 operatives that helped bust the notorious Alvin Flores gang. Capitol also gave the NBI a brand new vehicle and cash reward.

To recall, NBI elements led by operatives from Manila killed Flores and three other gang members in a shootout in a beach resort in Compostela town two weeks ago. That tended to bolster my suspicion of a whitewash in the investigation.

Then, again I may just be too suspicious. So I will just pose this question: If you are de Lemos, would you still drag Capitol officials, especially the Office of the Governor, into the Balili property controversy? Your answer is as good as mine.

(bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)