House probes this week 'corruption' in PUV modernization

The first hearing of the House committee on transportation has been set for Jan. 10 following Speaker Martin Romualdez's order to verify reported anomalies in the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP).

- DELON PORCALLA

"We cannot allow corruption to take root in the implementation of the modernization program. If we are to proceed with the modernization of our PUVs, we must make sure there is not even a whiff of irregularity," said panel chair Rep. Romeo Acop of Antipolo City's second district.

"We are responding to the directive of Speaker Romualdez to investigate these very serious allegations.

We will just get the consensus of members of the committee so we can start our hearings by Wednesday," Acop added.

The PUVMP, initiated by the previous Duterte administration, has allegedly been plagued by corruption and irregularities, with claims that transport officials are in cahoots with manufacturers of new minibuses that will replace the old ones.

Romualdez asked the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to review and extend the program's implementation, which had required jeepney operators and drivers to consolidate or join transport cooperatives.

The Office of Transportation Cooperatives (OTC) said that transportation officials are ready to face lawmakers on Wednesday.