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Drilon tells DOTr: Stop looking for scapegoats


The Department of Transportation (DOTr) should “stop looking for scapegoats” and instead focus on finding solutions to the problems of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT3), Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Tuesday, following the filing of plunder charges against members of former President Benigno Aquino III’s Cabinet.

“After almost one year and a half, I suggest to the Department of Transportation that they stop looking for scapegoats and start looking for solutions. Up to this point, the MRT is still in such a state that it does not serve the purpose for which it was formed,” Drilon, a member of the former ruling Liberal Party (LP) said.

“I’m confident that they can respond to the charges. Just one basic issue, the plunder requires or one of the elements of the crime is that you personally profited to the extent of P50 million. I don’t even think that there is an allegation that these respondents profited personally,” he added.

The DOTr filed plunder complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against nine former Cabinet members of then President Aquino over the alleged anomalous contract for the maintenance of the MRT3.

Among the respondents are former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas. Roxas served as DOTC chief before Abaya.

Former Budget and Management secretary Florencio Abad, former Finance secretary Cesar Purisima, former Energy secretary Jericho Petilla, former Science and Technology chief Mario Montejo, former Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin, former Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio Singson, and former National Development and Economic Administration secretary Arsenio Balicasan were also accused of plunder.

The DOTr also named former DOTC undersecretaries Edwin Lopez, Rene Limcaoco, and Catherine Gonzales as among the respondents.

A certain Marlo dela Cruz, bids and awards committee members, and officials from former MRT3 maintenance contractor, Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) were also included in the charge sheet.

The 67-page complaint stemmed from the then-DOTC's procurement of goods and services from BURI for the maintenance, general overhaul of light rail vehicles, and the replacement of the MRT3's signaling system.

DOTr Undersecretary Reinier Yebra said plunder complaints against the officials of the Aquino administration were the result of public clamor for accountability on the dismal state of the 17-kilometer railway.

"We at the DOTr were tasked, under the guidance of Secretary Art Tugade, to take a holistic view of what happened in the MRT3, and this is actually in response to the public clamor and cry for accountability for the dismal state of our train system," he said.

Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, said the Ombudsman should “act expeditiously” on the case.

“As I have previously mentioned, we should let the ax fall where it should. I believe the DOTr has exercised due diligence in reviewing the issues with BURI, strong enough to come up with a case against those involved,” Poe said.

“We expect that the Ombudsman will act expeditiously on the case, because every day of delay means distress and hardship for our riding public. We can only achieve justice for our people by making those responsible for their woes accountable,” she added. —ALG, GMA News

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