The Taiwan Solidarity Union yesterday condemned Chinese Nation-alist Party (KMT) Legislator Ho Chih-hui (何智輝), who has been charged with corruption with a recommended 18-year sentence, for registering to become a member of the Judiciary Committee in this legislative session.
Lawmakers two days ago finished signing up for committees for the current legislative session and Ho was one of a few controversial figures who chose to join the Judiciary Committee.
PHOTO: SEAN CHAO, TAIPEI TIMES
"Ho has been involved in scandals and he went to the Mainland to avoid being investigated," said Chen Chien-ming (陳建銘), the TSU caucus whip.
"Now he has returned and has even signed up to join the Judiciary Committee. It is apparent that he is trying to tamper with justice to gain advantages in his case," Chen said.
"If Ho thinks that he has not broken the law, he should resign his seat and refrain from running in the election. He should not hide behind the immunity shield bestowed on the Legislative Yuan by the Constitution," Chen said.
Ho is alleged to have abused his position to gain loans in several instances.
Ho allegedly took advantage of his position as the Miaoli Country commissioner in the mid-1990s to procure a loan for which he was not qualified from Hsinchu Commercial Bank in 1995.
Ho also allegedly exerted pressure on subordinates to approve a construction proposal submitted by Chiuchun Development Co in 1997.
In 1999, Ho allegedly used his political power to again procure illegal financing, this time in the form of a NT$200 million loan from Kuo Hua Life Insurance Co.
Ho escaped to China last year to avoid going to court.
He returned earlier this month to participate in the vote for the reconsideration request on the statute governing the investigative committee probing the March 19 assassination attempt.
Ho's case is not unique. Other controversial figures who have decided to join the Judiciary Committee this session include independent Legislator Su Yin-kuei (蘇盈貴), who has been involved in several slander cases, KMT Legislator Lin Chin-chun (林進春), who is suspected of corruption, and Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Sheng-hung (陳信宏), whose wife Hsueh Ling (薛凌) has been suspected of insider trading.
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