Graft charges filed vs Harper, contractor

Intramuros Administrator Anna Maria Harper was slapped with graft and other charges yesterday before the Office of the Ombudsman for cutting 10 decades-old and endangered trees at the Plaza Roma in Manila last month.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its executive director for National Capital Region Corazon Davis, filed the six-page complaint and accused Harper of violating Presidential Decree 953 (Act on unauthorized cutting of trees), R.A. 9175 (Act on acquisition and use chainsaw) and R.A. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

“Being the administrator of Intramuros Administration, respondent Harper was remiss and grossly negligent in her obligation to see to it that the permit issued to IA, through her and upon her request, should have been strictly observed, to the prejudice and detriment of the government and the public,” the complaint stated.

Davis was referring to violations of conditions set in the tree-moving permit issued by DENR to IA for balling of eight Narra trees and two Mahogany trees and for cutting 19 Neem, Mango, Langka and Atis trees.

Meanwhile, the Manila City government has filed charges against the contractor hired by IA for non-compliance of conditions set by the DENR on cutting of trees in Plaza Roma.

Slapped with charges for violation of RA 9175 (or the Chainsaw Act) and Presidential Decree 953 was Fernando Simborio, 47, contractor of the Green Philippine Nursery Plant.

Last Monday, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim defended Harper, saying the IA chief was not aware of the cutting as it was done on Aug. 25, a holiday.

He added that according to the contract, a supervisor was supposed to be monitoring the cutting “but that did not happen.”

Part of the contract was also the landscaping of Plaza Roma to provide a better view of the Manila Cathedral.  – With Sandy Araneta