Ex-DOTr chief Abaya, et al kinasuhan na ng Ombudsman

Sa P4.2-B MRT contract…

MANILA, Philippines — Nakakita si Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ng probable cause upang kasuhan sina dating Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya sa graft kaugnay ng mahigit P4 billion mainentance and overhauling contract para sa MRT3 na ini-award sa Busan Joint Venture.

Nahaharap din sa kasong paglabag sa Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act sina DOTC officials Edwin Lopez, Rene Limcaoco Catherine Jennifer Francis Gon­zales, Roman Buenafe, Camille Alcaraz, Ofelia Astrera, Charissa Eloisa Julia Opulencia, Oscar Bongon at Jose Rodante Sabayle. Private respondents Eldonn Ferdinand Uy ng Edison Development and Construction, Elizabeth Velasco ng Tramat Mercantile Incorporated, Belinda Tan ng TMI Corporation, Inc., Brian Velasco ng Castan Corporation, at Antonio Borromeo, Jun Ho Hwang at Elpidio Uy mula sa Busan Universal Rail, Inc. (BURI)

Ayon sa Ombudsman, ang Busan JV ay walang ka­kayahang technically, legally at financially capable na mangasiwa sa MRT3 long-term maintenance contract.

“There is a given authority and responsibility to Abaya as DOTr Secretary to regulate the acts of the DOTr officials responsible for the procurement of the MRT3 long-term maintenance contract and he cannot simply evade such responsibility by invoking reliance on his subordinates, especially considering that the subject contract is one with a scope and magnitude affecting a big portion of the commuting public in Metro Manila, with an accompanying financial impact on the coffers of the government amounting to more than P4billion,” wika ng Ombudsman

Ang graft complaint ay unang sinampa ng Bayan Muna at nagsampa rin ng reklamo ang kasalukuyang pamunuan ng Department of Transportation.

Kinansela ng Duterte administration ang Busan JV contract noong nakalipas na October.

Unang kasama sa kasong plunder ng DOTR si dating DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas, subalit dinismis ng Ombudsman at tanging si Abaya lang ang isinama sa kaso.

“By allowing the award of the contract to the Busan JV despite the attendant glaring irregularities, Abaya deliberately ignored applicable laws, rules and regula­tions, and standard operating procedures, falling short of or disregarding the required competence expected of him in the performance of his official functions,” pahayag ng Ombudsman.