House probe of Cebu port ‘anomalies’ faces delay

CEBU — A congressional inquiry into alleged irregularities at the Cebu port involving Cebu Port Authority general manager Jose Antonio Elumir and other port officials may have to wait for next year due to time constraints.

"As much as we want to have it started, kulang na talaga sa oras," said Rep. Edgar Lara, chairman of the House committee on good government.

Pressed for time, the House committees on good government and transportation and communication are facing problems in scheduling the investigation.

Cebu Rep. Clavel Martinez, in a privilege speech last Nov. 17, alleged that "mind-boggling corruption" existed at the CPA.

Right after the speech, Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella directed the committees on transportation and communication and good government to look into Martinez’s allegations.

Martinez accused Elumir and other officials of irregularities ranging from overpricing of port dredging projects, issuance of special permits in the handling of foreign cargo that allegedly resulted in the dumping of cement, smuggling, splitting of contracts for infrastructure projects, non-enforcement of pilotage fees to favor shipping lines, and the recycling of entrance fee tickets.

Lara said the CPA inquiry has to be lined up with all other cases that his committee is handling. The committee has so far responded to half of about 300 cases lodged before it.

With barely a week left before the year ends, Lara said Martinez may have to refile the complaint and have it investigated next year.

The solon, however, said the case is already recognized and "there is nothing to worry if the investigation will be postponed to the next Congress."

Elumir and other CPA commissioners are among those who will likely be invited to the congressional hearing.

The House will also ask private contractors whose contracts with the CPA were questioned by Martinez, to appear before the joint committees.

Elumir has denied the allegations, claiming that Martinez was misinformed by Port Commissioner Tomas Riveral who hurled accusations that the CPA had engaged in multi-million-peso irregularities. — Freeman News Service