VACC sues Cayetano for not acting on ethics complaint

MANILA, Philippines - The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Wednesday charged Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano before the Office of the Ombudsman for his alleged failure to act on the ethics complaint filed by the group against senators over cash gifts they received from Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile last Christmas.

The VACC filed the complaint against Cayetano for his alleged violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The group said in its complaint that Cayetano, the chairman of the Senate ethics committee, failed to act on their complaint against the senators led by Enrile.

In the complaint filed by the group before Cayetano's committee, it said that the distribution of cash to the senators is "unconscionable, immoral and arbitrary."

The group said that the cash -- distributed to the senators as additional maintenance and other operating expenses -- are taxpayers' money and it should not be distributed as gifts even if its part of the Senate's tradition.

The VACC has also asked the senators to return the cash gift.

Cayetano is one of the four senators, including Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, who did not receive P1.6 million cash gift from the office of Enrile. The four senators received only P250,000.