Noynoy Aquino’s ‘Bayaw’ Linked to RROW Scam, 2 Former Cabinet Members Under Immigration Lookout Bulletin

Eldon Cruz, the brother-in-law of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, is allegedly involved in the P8.7 billion road right of way (RROW) scam. This is according to witness Roberto Catapang Jr. on Monday, November 27, saying that the latter had endorsed the release of payments for the supposed ghost project in General Santos City.



“Ginagamit kasi ang pangalan nya. Parati yan, parati nagagamit ang pangalan ni ano, sorry sir, si Eldon Cruz. According sa kanila signature ito ni Eldon Cruz,” Catapang said in a press briefing with Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, and presented a letter dated January 12, 2011 addressed to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“Actually, this is the talk of the town in the DPWH. The people in central [office] know that. They had been talking about it during the time of President Aquino,” he added, who admitted that he never met Cruz nor saw him talking to public officials regarding the issue. Nevertheless, he was admitted to the witness protection program of the Department of Justice.

“Attached herewith is a revised letter for your good office to endorse to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) in relation to settlement of RROW claims on payment of properties affected by an infrastructure in General Santos City.” the letter reads. It was addressed to then-DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, and bears Eldon Cruz’ “signature.”

Catapang claimed that he was part of a syndicate that facilitated the documentation and application for compensation of private properties, which he noted were covered by fake land titles and other documents that he and other members of their group had manufactured through the help of some corrupt government officials.

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Letter with Eldon Cruz signature vs Eldon Cruz' passport; Credit: Jiggy Cruz via GMA News

In the same event, Secretary Aguirre said that he already gave orders to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Dante Gierran to place former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad and former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson in the immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO), along with 41 other persons believed also involved in the scam.



Cruz, husband of the eldest Aquino daughter Ballsy Aquino Cruz, has not yet commented on this issue as of posting. However, his son Jiggy Cruz said that the said letter bears a fake signature of his father, and that it is far different from his signature in his passport. He showed a copy of his father’s passport to GMA News as support to his claim.

Contributed by Salvi Dalida