Barbers wants probe on DPWH official

Sen. Robert Barbers urged yesterday Public Works Secretary Simeon Datumanong to investigate Undersecretary Manuel Bonoan for alleged habitual intervention in the concern of construction firms undertaking infrastructure projects.

Barbers called for the investigation after receiving numerous complaints from construction companies that several government projects have been delayed because of Bonoan’s "obstruction, more often on the companies’ financial status."

He said that the latest complaint came from a Japanese firm, Suzuka Construction Co. Ltd. which Bonoan was reportedly trying to disqualify in favor of the second lowest bidder, China-based China Road Construction.

Barbers said that Suzuka was the lowest bidder for the construction of the Mrihatag-Borobo section of the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, one of the priority projects of the government in Mindanao.

He charged that Bonoan questioned the classification of Suzuka through the Japanese Embassy.

"Expectedly, the Japanese Embassy will declare the firm as small time compared to other companies in their country. But when it operates in the Philippines, it can be classified and be eligible to build even internationally funded billion-peso projects," Barbers said.

He questioned why Bonoan should order the investigation of Suzuka after it had already won the bidding and its funding was confirmed by the banks.

He said reports reaching his office showed that Bonoan was trying to disqualify Suzuka because it is favoring China Road Construction, the second lowest bidder.

Barbers cited findings of the IMF-World Bank submitted to the DPWH that several Chinese firms, including China Road, submitted spurious documents.

"World Bank urged the DPWH to investigate the matter but Bonoan ignored the letter," he added. – Efren Danao