CONGRESSMEN called on the House leadership on Tuesday to start the investigation into allegations of extortion committed by members of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments (CA) at the soonest possible time to give due process to all concerned and prevent the issue from being muddled by individuals who want to discredit the House.

In a joint statement, Lakas Reps. Eduardo Zialcita of Parañaque and Edwin Uy of Isabela lamented that the extortion issue was given a new twist almost everyday with the coming out of new accusers who, however, refused to identify the lawmakers allegedly involved in the controversy.

They noted that pending a formal investigation into the extortion allegations, new charges that are being thrown against House members may only muddle the issue.

They cited as an example the allegation of Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) chief Antonio Villar Jr. that five congressmen, whom he did not identify, tried to intervene separately for the release of suspected smuggled goods.

Zialcita said the House leadership should not delay any formal investigation into the allegation of Lakas Rep. Herminio Teves of Negros Oriental that members of the House panel in the CA tried to ask P5 million from him in exchange for the confirmation of his son Margarito as finance secretary.

“In fairness to all concerned, let’s give them [members of the House contingent to the CA] the opportunity to clear their names. They should not be subjected to further trial by publicity especially since the accusers have refused to name names. The investigation is the proper venue to raise all the issues pertaining to the extortion charges,” said Zialcita.

On the part of those who made the allegations, Zialcita urged them to cooperate with the House by offering leads, including the identities of those who allegedly tried to extort money or asked for projects worth millions of pesos.

Uy said the House leadership should immediately start its investigation to put the issue in its proper perspective.

“There should be no delay in the investigation to prevent further speculations.

PRESIDENT Arroyo has reportedly tapped retired Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia to assume the chairmanship of the government panel negotiating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

APPARENTLY irked by a gun-wielding Lintang Bedol who proudly posed before members of the media, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued a warrant of arrest for the controversial Maguindanao elections supervisor for his “repeated disobedience” to heed orders from his superiors.

COTABATO CITY—Gunmen holding Italian priest Fr. Giancarlo Bossi have implied through a text message that their captive is still alive.

THE National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) on Tuesday said that the May 14 election “is 90 percent credible.”

CONGRESSMEN called on the House leadership on Tuesday to start the investigation into allegations of extortion committed by members of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments (CA) at the soonest possible time to give due process to all concerned and prevent the issue from being muddled by individuals who want to discredit the House.

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has filed criminal charges against 10 more policemen for allegedly bungling their assigned drug cases by not appearing in court hearings.