District Engineering staff allegedly caught on video taking bribes

Personnel from the Metro Manila 1st District Engineering Office in Pasig City were allegedly caught on camera taking bribes in exchange for a government project, the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) claimed on Wednesday.

In a report on "24 Oras" by Marisol Abdurahman, PACC chief Greco Belgica presented footage of the transaction between staff of District Engineer Roberto Nicolas and a contractor in June.

In the video, a supposed contractor was seen handing over an object to a woman identified as Nicolas' staff member. The PACC claimed the contractor gave them P4 million in cash to ensure they are awarded a P70-million steel parking project in San Juan.

PACC commissioner Greco Belgica said the video has reached President Rodrigo Duterte, who was reportedly furious after seeing the footage.

The footage has also been shown to DPWH Secretary Mark Villar who said they "will immediately act and we will investigate and file charges and suspend those involved."

Belgica described the alleged transaction as "a government official accepting bribe money for a contract, paunang bigay para makuha 'yung project."

He added, "This time, because it was a negotiated bid, binigay na 'yung notice of award, wala pa ho 'yung program of work."

GMA News went to Nicolas' office for comment, but his secretary said he was in a meeting with a certain Engineer Luisito Ponancio.

Meanwhile, Vilma Gomez, the female staff member allegedly seen in the video, is no longer regularly seen in the office as she has already retired. Other staff members were on leave, namely Tes Orquia and Engineer Melody Dominguez.

The PACC said it has long been keeping an eye on Nicolas after reportedly receiving several complaints against him but they did not have enough evidence to support the claims.

"Malinaw na malinaw naman na accepting for district engineering office, and sinumbit sa amin 'yung report  and we vetted it and verified it," Belgica said.

Citing the Anti-Graft Law, PACC executive director Eduardo Bringas added, "At saka this is a clear case ng ano, ng 713, 'yung Code of Conduct." —Margaret Claire Layug/JST, GMA News