Ex-PNR general manager convicted of graft

The Sandiganbayan on Wednesday found former Philippine National Railways (PNR) general manager Manuel Dinamarca Andal guilty of two counts of graft for unlawfully entering into contracts in 2009.

In a 22-page ruling issued January, the anti-graft court sentenced  Andal to eight years and one month up to 12 years in prison. He was also ordered to pay the government a total of P86,505,000.  The conviction also perpetually disqualified him from holding public office.

In 2009, Andal entered into deal with Pandol Korea Limited (Pandol Korea) and Nikka Trading without authorization from proper authorities and despite knowledge of irregularities.

“In entering into the contract with Pandol Korea without waiting for the Certification from the DOTC Secretary, accused Andal clearly gave unwarranted benefit and advantage to said company because he already committed the government to the transaction without the DOTC Secretary’s review of the propriety of direct contracting,” the ruling said.

The Sandiganbayan also noted that Andal was already aware that Nikka Trading was offering the same materials that Pandrol Korea was offering.

“And, as it turned out, accused Andal found the material so offered by Nikka Trading to have more safety features than those offered by Pandol Korea,” it said.

The anti-graft court said Andal also gave Nikka Trading undue preference and unwarranted benefit.

“As in the case with Pandrol Korea, accused guaranteed that the contract with it would push through even before a final determination can be made by the proper bodies as to the propriety of the said procurement and the mode resorted to,” it said.

The Sandiganbayan said Andal did not receive the go-signal from the PNR Board of Directors for the purchase of the same items.

“When the contract with Nikka Trading was entered into, there was no signified need from the PNR as an end-user, nor was there authority from the PNR Board of Directors to purchase the same items,” it said.

“Hence, it was clearly shown that the Government suffered damage in the amount of P86,505,000, which reflect the amount paid per the said contract,” it added.—LDF, GMA News