False accusations

This refers to the statements that appeared in the February 6, 2009 column of Mr. Jarius Bondoc in your newspaper and the news items in your February 13 and 17 issues, all about the alleged bid rigging of the World Bank projects. It was stated, among others, that I was implicated by the alleged WB witness as protectors of colluders in the alleged bid rigging of the NRIMP projects in Surigao and Negros and that as DPWH Secretary I exercised a very large influence on the schemes playing a significant role in their success. Of course, I vehemently deny the accusations for being untrue and just mere speculation to dishonor my name.

Any innocent human being would not take sitting down such accusation which would degrade his reputation. I believe in the fairness of The Philippine STAR as a newspaper in presenting unbiased news and all sides of an issue, especially for something that would blemish the reputation of an innocent person, that I will at least be given the chance to be heard.

First of all, I was not the cause of then Sec. Bayani Fernando’s relief. What I know is that he could not be DPWH Secretary and MMDA Chairman at the same time that is why he was replaced. Secondly, I was not close to the First Gentleman. I hardly met him and I saw him very seldom and only on special occasions. He never invited me for a meeting.

In your February 17 issue, the WB interview of Mr. Noelito Policarpio on November 8 and 16, 2006 was published. He did not mention my name as the DPWH Secretary whom he referred to as exercising large influence on bid rigging. In fact, I do not think he participated in the bidding of the 2 NRIMP projects in 2004 when I was Secretary.

I do not know Suzuka. All I know is that Suzuka Construction was the lower bidder in the first bidding of one of the NRIMP projects in Surigao but was recommended disqualified for award by BAC to then Secretary Simeon Datumanong because of misrepresentation and the use of non-authentic documents. It was the Japanese Design Consultant Katahira Engineering International who made the verification of Suzuka’s tender documents. Even his bid security was spurious. The Japanese Embassy in Manila could not authenticate Suzuka’s documentation. Thereafter, the award was given to the next lowest bidder. WB was informed about the disqualification during the time of then Sec. Bayani Fernando. It was during my time that the recommendation of BAC to blacklist Suzuka from bidding on DPWH projects was approved.

I would like to emphasize that DPWH strictly adheres to the Procurement Guidelines set forth by WB in biddings their projects. The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) is mandated by law to ensure that the standards set forth in the procurement guidelines must be strictly followed. During my incumbency as Secretary, I never interfered with the collegial decision of BAC on whom to recommend award of contracts. It is only when I need clarifications before approving or disapproving their recommended awards resolutions that I asked questions. I also cannot remember any request for meeting during my incumbency coming from any of the Senators and Congressmen allegedly involved in the alleged collusion in NRIMP I projects. Contractors had hard times making appointments with me for issues that can be resolved up to the level of Undersecretaries. Only if there was a problem in project implementation that I know I can help resolve immediately with the concerned DPWH official would I entertain request for appointment in my office.

In my more than 45 years of service in the DPWH, I was never charged before the Sandiganbayan except in the case about the breach in the Pinatubo Megadike in 1996 which has not been resolve up to now. I hope for the fairness of the Sandiganbayan in this case in the face of the evidence so far alluded to me. — FLORANTE SORIQUEZ, Former DPWH Secretary