Tag: PCAB

Posted on

Lacson: Complete Overhaul Due for PCAB Amid Worsening Stench of Corruption

No less than a complete overhaul of the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) is needed at this time, in the wake of its role in the corruption behind substandard and ghost flood control projects.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this Thursday following the reported resignation of PCAB executive director Herbert Matienzo, even as he scored the worsening stench of corruption in government.

“A complete overhaul of the PCAB board is in order at this point. The PCAB has been a low-key yet corrupt-ridden regulatory body which, in tandem with the Department of Public Works and Highways has methodically punched us in the gut, providing the first of a one-two punch thus knocking out our hard earned tax payments,” Lacson said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Overhaul ang Kailangan Para sa PCAB sa Gitna ng Masangsang na Amoy ng Korapsyon

Continue reading “Lacson: Complete Overhaul Due for PCAB Amid Worsening Stench of Corruption”

Posted on

Lacson Bares Alleged Extortion as Latest PCAB Scandal

From accreditation for sale to conflict of interest, and now extortion.

Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Sunday bared a third issue hounding the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), where a contractor was threatened with non-renewal of his license if he did not pay up.

“A contractor had a problem that he sought to settle with the PCAB. It was a case of extortion because he was blackmailed into coughing up at least a million pesos. He was told his license would not be renewed if he did not pay up,” Lacson said in Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio, citing information reaching him.

In Filipino: Lacson, Ibinulgar ang Umano’y Extortion sa PCAB

Continue reading “Lacson Bares Alleged Extortion as Latest PCAB Scandal”

Posted on

Flooded Gates of Corruption: From Congressmen-Contractors to PCAB Directors-Contractors

Instead of an outright denial to project themselves as “lily-white” and “pure as the driven snow,” the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) should at least look into allegations against their own people’s improper conduct. Aside from reports of corruption in their ranks, there is potential conflict of interest involving at least two board directors in violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, or Republic Act 6713.

With these words, Senator Panfilo M. Lacson called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP) to immediately conduct an investigation and file the necessary criminal and administrative charges against at least two members of the PCAB Board for overlapping and conflicting positions as owners of construction companies while serving as members of the board of PCAB and bagging government contracts.

Lacson raised this issue as he exposed the apparent conflict of interest of at least two board members – Engineers Erni Baggao and Arthur Escalante.

“Paging PCAB – Instead of an outright denial, you should at least look into allegations against your own people’s improper conduct. Aside from reports of corruption in your ranks, there is potential conflict of interest involving your 2 board directors in violation of RA 6713,” Lacson said in a post on X.

In Filipino: Baha ng Katiwalian: Mula sa mga Kongresistang Kontratista hanggang sa mga Direktor-Kontratista ng PCAB

Continue reading “Flooded Gates of Corruption: From Congressmen-Contractors to PCAB Directors-Contractors”

Posted on

Act, Not Just Deny: Lacson Responds to PCAB Denial on ‘Accreditation for Sale’

Rather than outrightly and completely deny the “accreditation for sale” mess in flood control and other infrastructure projects, the Philippine Construction Accreditation Board (PCAB) should take an active role to address the problem, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said that while the PCAB issued a statement claiming the shortcuts-for-a-fee practice is the work of scammers, it has to explain how some contractors got their accreditation after paying up.

“Instead of merely denying reports of misconduct involving what they claim to be scammers misrepresenting them, PCAB leadership should look at their own people and police their ranks. For how can they explain why certain contractors who, after coughing up at least P2 million were actually issued accreditation by PCAB?” Lacson said.

“As they say, the test of the pudding is in the eating,” he added of the PCAB’s claim that maintaining the integrity of the PCAB licensing system remains its “foremost priority.”

In Filipino: Aksyon Higit sa Salita: Lacson, Tumugon sa Pagtanggi ng PCAB sa ‘Accreditation for Sale’

Continue reading “Act, Not Just Deny: Lacson Responds to PCAB Denial on ‘Accreditation for Sale’”