DOTr pushes plunder raps vs Abaya, others involved in MRT3 deal

FILE: Yebra also said that they will consult with the Office of the Solicitor General “as it intends to pursue plunder charges against the indicted personalities, as well as include in the case other officials and personalities exculpated from the Resolution, in efforts to promote accountability and transparency.” (Photo by Reinier Yebra/Facebook)

After the Ombudsman indicted former officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) allegedly involved in the P4.2 billion Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 maintenance contract, its incumbent undersecretary assured the pursuance of the plunder criminal charges.

“We assure the public that the DOTr will get to the bottom of these anomalous contracts, and go after the people who sacrificed the welfare of MRT-3 riders in the name of personal interests,” Reinier Paul Yebra, the DOTr Undersecretary for Legal Affairs and Procurement, said through a statement on Tuesday, June 26.

Yebra also said that they will consult with the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) “as it intends to pursue plunder charges against the indicted personalities, as well as include in the case other officials and personalities exculpated from the Resolution, in efforts to promote accountability and transparency.”

The Office of the Ombudsman, through Conchita Carpio Morales, ordered the indictment of former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya and Manuel “Mar” Roxas on Monday.

Former Undersecretaries of DOTr Edwin Lopez, Rene Limcaoco, and Catherine Jennifer Francis Gonzales were also indicted.

Other former Cabinet officials from the presidential stint of Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III included in the order were Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad, Department of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Department of Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo, Department of National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, and National Economic Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Five former MRT-3 officials were also indicted which were General Manager Roman Buenafe, Assistant Secretary for Procurement Camille Alcaraz, Bids and Awards Committee Vice Chair Ofelia Astrera, Charissa Eloisa Julia Opulencia, Engineering Division Chief Oscar Bongon, and Jose Rodante Sabayle.

Private citizens Eldonn Ferdinand Uy, Elizabeth Velasco, Belinda Tan, Brian Velasco, and Antonio Borromeo were also on the list.