NBI: Probe on Mayor Sotto sensationalized
Published Apr 2, 2020 12:00 am
By Marjaleen Ramos
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday said that its investigation of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto's alleged quarantine violations was "politicized and sensationalized."
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto
(KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN) "This is within the powers of the NBI. Again, hindi lang ito kay Mayor Sotto. Medyo na politicize lang, na sensationalize yung kay Mayor Sotto," NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said in an interview with ANC. "This is also a part of panawagan ng Presidente. Ang sabi ng Presidente he asks all the agencies... to come together and help him dito sa sitwasyon," he said. Lavin clarified that the NBI is not only investigating Sotto as it was also probing other local officials for possible quarantine violation. "We're not only looking at Pasig City. I think this is the misconception," Lavin added. "We have also extended an invitation too to a barangay captain in Las Piñas.. We're also looking at what happened in Quezon City with Kadamay. We're also looking at Cebu, Masbate," he continued. Meanwhile, Lavin mentioned Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III will also be invited by the NBI for allegations that he violated quarantine protocols. "We also have a letter to Senator Aquilino "Koko Pimentel, but unfortunately for us, naka-quarantine si Senator Pimentel," he said. Lavin added that aside from probing local government officials, the NBI is also busy investigating issues such as profiteering, hoarding as well as the dissemination of fake news. On Wednesday, Lavin confirmed that the NBI’s Anti-Graft Division (NBI-AGD) is investigating Mayor Sotto. Sotto, for his part, said that when the national government rejected his request to allow tricycle operations for health workers, he complied. "We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon. At alam kaya nila na March 24 naging batas ang Bayanihan Act?" said Sotto in a Twitter post. On March 25, President Duterte signed the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act which granted him special powers to address the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto(KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN) "This is within the powers of the NBI. Again, hindi lang ito kay Mayor Sotto. Medyo na politicize lang, na sensationalize yung kay Mayor Sotto," NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said in an interview with ANC. "This is also a part of panawagan ng Presidente. Ang sabi ng Presidente he asks all the agencies... to come together and help him dito sa sitwasyon," he said. Lavin clarified that the NBI is not only investigating Sotto as it was also probing other local officials for possible quarantine violation. "We're not only looking at Pasig City. I think this is the misconception," Lavin added. "We have also extended an invitation too to a barangay captain in Las Piñas.. We're also looking at what happened in Quezon City with Kadamay. We're also looking at Cebu, Masbate," he continued. Meanwhile, Lavin mentioned Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III will also be invited by the NBI for allegations that he violated quarantine protocols. "We also have a letter to Senator Aquilino "Koko Pimentel, but unfortunately for us, naka-quarantine si Senator Pimentel," he said. Lavin added that aside from probing local government officials, the NBI is also busy investigating issues such as profiteering, hoarding as well as the dissemination of fake news. On Wednesday, Lavin confirmed that the NBI’s Anti-Graft Division (NBI-AGD) is investigating Mayor Sotto. Sotto, for his part, said that when the national government rejected his request to allow tricycle operations for health workers, he complied. "We complied with all directives. Hindi po illegal magbigay ng opinyon. At alam kaya nila na March 24 naging batas ang Bayanihan Act?" said Sotto in a Twitter post. On March 25, President Duterte signed the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act which granted him special powers to address the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.