DEPUTY Speaker and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun on Friday said the resignation of Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) Executive Director Herbert Matienzo will not halt the House of Representatives’ pursuit of accountability over corruption allegations in contractor registration.
Khonghun, who earlier called for a lifestyle check on Matienzo during a House Infrastructure Committee hearing, stressed that stepping down does not clear him of possible wrongdoing.
“The resignation of Atty. Matienzo should not be seen as an escape from accountability. Kung may mali, may pananagutan. The House of Representatives will continue to dig into the allegations of ‘registration for sale’ at PCAB,” said Khonghun, who represents Zambales’ 1st District in Congress.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Khonghun flagged reports that PCAB registrations were allegedly being sold under Matienzo’s watch.
He urged a lifestyle check, citing information that the official lived in an upscale village and owned multiple vehicles.
Khonghun said this is about protecting integrity in government, stressing that PCAB must accredit only legitimate contractors.
Any loophole, he warned, puts billions in public funds and key projects at risk.
Matienzo denied the allegations during the hearing, saying he does not live in Alabang but in Cupang, Muntinlupa.
Khonghun said Congress is determined to push deeper reforms in the accreditation process to end the culture of corruption in infrastructure contracting.
“This resignation is only the beginning. We owe it to our people to clean up the system so that public funds are protected and projects are delivered honestly and efficiently,” Khonghun said.
Trade Secretary Cristina Roque confirmed that Matienzo resigned effective September 3, citing “personal reasons.”
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