(Eagle News) – A brother-in-law of former President Benigno Aquino III was implicated in the P8.7-billion road scam revealed by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre last week.
In a press conference, witness Roberto Catapang Jr. said Eldon Cruz’s name was used frequently by members of the syndicate that claimed road right of way compensation from the government for a national highway construction in General Santos City by submitting fake land titles and non-existent owners.
For this, Catapang, a former member of the syndicate, showed a letter that supposedly contained the signature of Cruz, husband of Aquino’s eldest sister, Ballsy Aquino Cruz.
“Attached herewith is a revised letter request for your good office to endorse to the Department of Budget and Management in relation to settlement of ROW claim on payment of properties affected by an infrastructure in General Santos,” the letter addressed to then-Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said.
The letter was dated Jan. 11, 2012.
Apart from Cruz, Aguirre tagged former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Singson and several others in the scam he said dates back to 2009.
He said an immigration lookout order has been issued against Abad, who he said “apparently” approved the release of payments; Singson, who he said “apparently” requested the DBM to make such payments; and 41 others.
Aguirre said Cruz’s name may be added to the lookout order if the National Bureau of Investigation verifies the signature on the letter is indeed Cruz’s.
According to Aguirre, South Cotabato’s former assemblyman Rogelio Garcia told him that he was also a victim of the scam.
He said Garcia–who gave him the information during San Beda College of Law’s alumni homecoming on Friday—had wanted to join the press conference but there was a conflict in his schedule.
