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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Wednesday, October 25, 2017
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MANILA – Former secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and other former officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) were charged with graft in connection with alleged anomalies in procurements for the Metro Rail Transit.
Officials of Busan Universal Rail, Inc. (BURI) were also accused of violating Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, in the case that DOTr undersecretary for legal affairs and procurement Reinier Paul Yebra filed at the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday.
The respondents conspired and confederated with one another to enter into an “anomalous” contract that was “manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government,” stated the 29-page complaint.
Grace Poe, chairwoman of the Senate public services committee, welcomed the graft complaint.
“It is high time that the ax falls where it should,” said Poe, who last week said officials of the Benigno Aquino III administration should be held accountable for alleged irregularities at the MRT.
“The complaint filed against (them) over the P3.81-billion MRT maintenance contract rests on solid grounds,” she said.
Poe said the Senate inquiry into the alleged MRT mismanagement proved that awarding the maintenance contract to BURI was anomalous.
“I expect the Ombudsman to find probable cause and file appropriate charges with the Sandiganbayan against the culprits soon,” she said.
Abaya and BURI said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint.
“But in any event, our decision has always been guided by our conscience and our compliance with procurement laws and laws with regard to the procurement of the maintenance provider,” said Abaya.
The former DOTr secretary said he looks forward to clear their names.
BURI, on the other hand, expressed confidence that the allegations against them will be proven wrong.
“BURI is confident that it will be able to answer and negate any charges against the company or its officials,” it said.
Poe said the MRT mess would not have happened if Abaya and his men ensured that those working on the rail system were competent.
“This (graft complaint) should deliver a stern warning and reminder that public officials past and present will have to be made accountable for their misfeasance and malfeasance in office in due time,” she said./PN
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