Solon seeks probe on NAIA ghost services

Biliran Rep. Gerardo Espina called for a congressional investigation yesterday into allegedly fraudulent payments to a private contractor for the degreasing, cleaning and maintenance of various ramps, bays and aircraft parking areas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Espina said Business Royale Services has allegedly been paid over P20 million for services it never rendered.

He said the anomalies were reported by representatives of the Commission on Audit in their audit report last Oct. 26.

"The auditors, in fact, disallowed the payment of P10,307,100.46 covering degreasing services at the international passenger and container terminals, the remote parking facility, the domestic passenger terminal and the Balabag aircraft parking area," he added.

The Biliran solon said that COA also suspended payment of over P8 million for degreasing services at the NAIA terminal II after finding out that the project was given to Business Royale Services under a negotiated contract even after a regular bidding was conducted earlier and was won by another contractor.

Espina said these fraudulent payments could not have been effected without the connivance of corrupt NAIA officials, particularly those who certify on the performance of the service contractor.

He said that even on the basis of the COA report, the Ombudsman could already conduct an investigation and file charges against those who may be found guilty of the fraudulent transactions.

In filing a motion for an investigation of the anomalies, Espina said he wants Congress to refine the laws affecting the aviation industry, particularly in upgrading, modernizing and maintaining the safety standards of airport facilities.