Khonghun: House to push for lifestyle check on Matienzo despite resignation
At A Glance
- Deputy Speaker Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun says the House of Representatives will still pursue a lifestyle check on Herbert Matienzo despite his stepping down as Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) executive director.
Deputy Speaker Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun (PPAB)
Resignation doesn't forego accountability.
Deputy Speaker Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun says the House of Representatives will still pursue a lifestyle check on Herbert Matienzo despite his stepping down as Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) executive director.
Khonghun, in a statement Friday, Sept. 5, says this is part of the House of Representatives' crusade for full accountability amid allegations of corruption in contractor registration.
"The resignation of Atty. Matienzo should not be seen as an escape from accountability. Kung may mali, may pananagutan (If there's wrongdoing, there's accountability). The House of Representatives will continue to dig into the allegations of ‘registration for sale’ at PCAB,” he said.
The ranking congressman sought the conduct of a lifestyle check on Matienzo last Sept. 2 during the House Infrastructure Committee (infra comm) that looked into the flood control projects controversy.
It was during the hearing that Khonghun flagged reports that PCAB registrations were allegedly being sold under Matienzo’s watch.
Khonghun cited information that the official lived in an upscale village in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and owned multiple vehicles.
Matienzo denied the allegations during the hearing, and said he does not live in Alabang but in Cupang, also in Muntinlupa.
Khonghun said his call is about protecting integrity in government. He stressed that PCAB must accredit only legitimate contractors.
This resignation is only the beginning. We owe it to our people to clean up the system so that public funds are protected and projects are delivered honestly and efficiently,” he said.
Khonghun said Congress is determined to push for deeper reforms in the accreditation process to end the culture of corruption in infrastructure contracting.