THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol is set to resurrect the Repa scam that preyed on hundreds of Boholanos, not only the lowly income earners but also professionals and government officials.
In his privilege speech, Vice-Gov. Dionisio Victor Balite said that he revived the issue to get to the bottom and to identify the brain.
“Now they awakened this long been dead and buried issue, then, I am now arising this matter, once and for all, so as to let the Boholano people know who really is the brain of this scam,” Balite, who was also a victim by a meager P5,000.00, said.
He said that sometime in November 16, 2021 he delivered similar speech “regarding officials of the provincial capitol who were among the protectors of the REPA scam.” But he did not name names.
At that time, he said he was grilled with questions, like “who is this protector from Capitol?” But he did not mention any identity of the Capitol official even “though I have a clue of which I never dared to answer because what I wanted was for SP to conduct investigation and be it referred to the appropriate committee,” Balite said.
What probably prompted the vice-governor to revive the Repa issue is the tagging of his wife as an alleged Repa administrator. The vice-governor showed to his colleagues the social media post of this tagging of his wife.
“Alang sa kasayuran sa tanan never ko niapil ana intawon wala koy tawo gibiktima arun lang sila masakitan nahu sakitan man jod na kay hangtud karun ang gibiktima wala man jod maulie pa nila,” Balite’s wife said. (For all to know I never involved nor participated in that scheme. And I did not victimize anyone. I even feel concerned since those who put in their money have never recovered.)
Balite said that he will include in the probe the notorious but mysterious “Ivan” alleged kickback from extracting big chunks of quarry operations. But he has to dig deeper, he said.
“Ivan’s” alleged racket is described this way: “As cash advance per se. Permits to quarry cannot be granted if the mastermind will not be given first his/her share. So very, very awful and many from the junior grade officers from the capitol just stapled their mouths and let the job be done as ordered or you will lose your job,” Balite said.
His privilege speech was referred to the Committee of the Whole of the provincial board. (ricobedencio@yahoo.com)
