THE National Bureau of Investigation is being sought to probe the “chicken dung” payola in the province of Benguet.
Governor Crescencio Pacalso has granted the request of the provincial board following its resolution requesting the provincial governor to create an independent task force to investigate the alleged payola from dealers of chicken dung operations in Tublay.
In their resolution, the board established there is malicious allegation that portion of the collected parking fees is being distributed to some officials.
“This body lacks knowledge sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of such allegation. Hence, an independent task force is necessary to investigate such allegation and to eventually clear everybody, who is allegedly benefiting from such payola,” the resolution stated.
The governor on May 31 wrote NBI acting regional directory lawyer Sixto Burgos Jr. to investigate the alleged payola from the dealers of chicken dung operating in the municipality of Tublay.
“Since the issue on the alleged payola was directed to some officials in this province and being the line agency under the Department of Justice which serves as the premier investigation agency of our government, we are seeking your assistance to investigate the matter,” the letter reads.
The NBI’s aid on the matter seeks to solve the long-time issue on chicken dung payola and clear names of officials in the province.
The governor also instructed his staff and office to fully cooperate with the NBI in an effort to settle the matter.
During the several board meetings, members of the provincial board reiterated their innocence in receiving any single centavo from the chicken dung parking fees after a letter dated March 23 was received by the City Council on April 2 form a concern citizen.
“We have heard that part of the parking fees collected from chicken dung vendors in Tili, Shilan La Trinidad are being given to some board members in the province. This issue was raised during the meeting with Board Member Nestor Fongwan Jr. at BAPTC last 22 March 2018. Can we be clarified with this issue,” the letter stated.
Documents were already forwarded to NBI.