Muntinlupa mayor hits accuser's 'squid tactics'

MANILA, Philippines - The Muntinlupa City government yesterday dismissed as “squid tactics” the graft charges filed by a former bids and awards committee (BAC) official against Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and 15 city councilors.

Muntinlupa City public information officer Omar Acosta said former BAC official Abel Sumabat filed the charges before the Office of the Ombudsman to conceal the extortion and other illegal acts that he committed while working as head of the BAC.

Acosta said Sumabat is facing at least six criminal charges before the city prosecutor’s office involving extortion, estafa, and malversation of public funds.

“Three of the cases were filed against Sumabat by private contractors from whom (he) allegedly extorted close to P5 million by making misrepresentation that the money is for ‘special operations procedure (SOP)’ to ensure that the contracts will eventually be awarded to them,” Acosta said in a statement.

“But when his promise did not materialize, the contractors decided to file charges against Sumabat,” Acosta added.

Sumabat filed last Wednesday a P1.2-billion graft case against San Pedro and the city councilors for alleged anomalous transactions over the past five years. Sumabat, who is currently in the government witness protection program, said he was San Pedro’s “bagman” and his life is currently in danger.

Acosta said Sumabat resigned in February after “sensing that his anomalous acts were about to be discovered.” He said that the former BAC official, “fearing indictment… then turned the tables” on the city officials by filing the graft case and seeking state protection.

“It appears that (Sumabat) is indeed a bagman but only for himself. He used his office as head of the BAC secretariat to enrich himself,” he added.

Acosta also accused other politicians of exploiting the situation by coddling Sumabat, hoping to gain from its outcome.