Probe on Angping sought

Two young businessmen urged the House ethics committee yesterday to start an inquiry into the misconduct case they have filed against Rep. Harry Angping (NPC, Manila).

In a letter to Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Rep. Antonio Abaya (NPC, Isbaela), ethics committee chairman, lawyer Mark Purisima and Heinrich Suson, said despite the fact that they filed their complaint last Aug. 9, no hearing has been conducted on the case.

"We fear that our case against Congressman Angping would now be overshadowed by the extortion charges hurled against the so-called Gang of 5," the two said.

The case stemmed from the failure of the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) to consummate the sale to Purisima and Suson of an apartment building in Sta. Cruz, Manila, for which they have already paid P7 million.

Sta. Cruz is part of the third district, which Angping represents.

The complainants alleged that the Manila solon had intervened to prevent the sale to them because he is interested in the property. Angping has denied their allegations.

The two said, the solon even filed Resolution 804 in the last Congress threatening PVB officials with an investigation if they proceeded to consummate the sale.

They said Angping used his position to influence a Manila judge against ejecting tenants of the building who have failed to pay their rentals. He prevented sheriffs from driving out the tenants when the judge ruled that they be ejected, they added.

Angping reasoned out that he was just trying to help his constituents who have occupied the building for many years.

He said the tenants should be given the first option to buy the building.

Purisima and Suson said they are planning to file with the Office of the Ombudsman a separate case against the Manila congressman.