Ex-DPWH head, 6 executives charged with graft

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against former secretary Gregorio Vigilar and six other ranking officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) yesterday for allegedly entering into an anomalous contract with a private firm 11 years ago.

Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II Mothalib Onos said a P58.8-million contract involving the procurement of spare parts and maintenance work for pumping stations located in Vitas and Balut, Tondo in Manila was awarded to a Japanese firm without a public bidding.

Vigilar allegedly conspired with former DPWH undersecretary Vicente Lopez; project director Nonito Fano; consultant Isamo Konakahara; and project managers Macariola Bartolo, Bernardo Aman and Francisco Imperial.

Japanese nationals Yashinori and Hiroyuki Shimomura of Toyo-Ebara Joint Venture, to which the multi-million peso contract was awarded, were also named as respondents in the case.

Onos said the former DPWH officials entered into a deal with the private firm on March 20, 1998 for the rehabilitation of pumping facilities.

The complaint filed against the respondents said the accused officials allegedly took advantage of their positions and acted “with manifest partiality and bad faith.”

Deputy Special Prosecutor Jesus Micael and Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro approved the filing of the graft charges and recommended a bail bond of P30,000 for each of the respondents.