Prelate Says Mayor Expose' Involves Congressmen, Senators

MANILA, March 2, 2010-Wilfredo "Boy" Mayor was about to identify some lawmakers in Congress and the Senate involved in an alleged public works scam in Albay if only he was not killed.

Archbishop Oscar Cruz, whom Mayor consulted four days before his murder, said he has the names of people allegedly benefited from the anomalous road projects.

"He (Mayor) listed some eight or nine (officials)... There are incumbents and re-electionists," said Cruz.

Asked to give more information regarding his last conversation with Mayor, Cruz revealed that there are members of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party and Naciolista Party in the list.

"The officials involved in the scam goes as far as the Lower House and the Upper House," he added.

Cruz, however, stressed that he believes that the government officials are not aware of the plans to liquidate the jueteng whistleblower.

Cruz said the scam also involved a big-time private construction company based in the Bikol region.

He said he believes that the same company, which he refused to identify, could be the ones responsible for the brutal death of Mayor.

Mayor was killed in an ambush in Pasay City last Saturday.

The archbishop, an anti-gambling crusader, said he is ready to face any investigation to be conducted by the authorities.

"It is up to the proper authorities on whether to invite me or not but I have no problem with that," said Cruz.

It was Cruz who presented Mayor as one of his witnesses in the 2005 Senate investigation on jueteng.

The whistleblower told the Senate that he operated jueteng in Albay and claimed members of President Arroyo's family and administration received pay-offs. (Roy Lagarde)