Will former Minister of Works face criminal charges?

Former Minister of Works Rene Montero has been accused of engaging in shady land deals, among other allegations of misuse of resources. Since late last year, former chairman of Buena Vista Village Eddie de la Rosa, who was one of Montero’s closest operatives, alleged that Montero was engaged in these activities while he was a sitting government minister. Last week, the new Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde said they have documents to prove it. These documents reportedly show that Montero’s associates were carrying out land transactions where they would put lands in persons’ names by using their personal information – just that these persons didn’t know about the scheme. Later the lands would reportedly be transferred to those closest to Montero – including family and political associates. Today we asked Minister responsible for police Kareem Musa about what happens next – will police action be taken against Montero? Here’s what he had to say:

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

Kareem Musa

“That is something that as Minister, I am completely staying out of. This is not going to be any political witch hunt the way you saw like the last administration but we cannot ignore the fact that declarations have been made by individuals; very credible declarations have been made and presented to our Ministry. I believe those will be converted into police statements and police will be investigating those matters, we have to take it seriously like any other offence. So, while it is as Minister, I personally will have absolutely no involvement in the carriage of those matters, I am aware those are being put in the form of police statements and if action is to be taken, then action will be taken.”