2 NFA execs face graft charges

Two high-ranking officials of the National Food Authority (NFA) were charged Tuesday with alleged anti-graft and corrupt practices before the Ombudsman by a cargo handler.

NFA Administrator Anthony Abad and Deputy Administrator Michael Angelo Paderanga were charged with violation of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, by Rudy Gorra, president of Bagong Buhay Arrastre Service, Inc. (BBASI).

Abad, however, described the award to North Front as contractor for shipment of NFA rice as above board as it underwent the normal process of bidding.

"All legal requirements are being followed. But there is no problem at all. There is a bidding in Cebu for cargo handling. Even the complainant has been pre-qualified" Abad said.

In a seven-page complaint-affidavit, Gorra alleged that Abad and Paderanga gave favor to cargo handler North Front Shipping without the benefit of bidding in the hauling of imported NFA rice in Cebu.

According to Gorra, the NFA Integrated Cargo Handling Services (NFAICHS)cancelled three scheduled biddings for the shipment of NFA rice from abroad for year 2002, for various reasons, the third one allegedly on orders of Paderanga.

Despite all the postponements of bidding, Gorra learned that major hauling of shipments was already ongoing and being undertaken by North Front.

"It is now very clear that Deputy Paderanga is acting with malice in cancelling the bidding last Jan. 22, 2002 so that North Front could continue its shipment for the year 2002 in a holdover capacity," Gorra stated in his complaint. — With Jose Rodel Clapano