Ombudsman probes another pet project of Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon

MANILA – The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting an investigation on the alleged irregularities in the procurement process of another pet project of Senate President Franklin Drilon.

The Ombudsman has directed several government officials to answer complaints on the P13.5-million initiative to improve the Iloilo River Esplanade.

The Department of Public Works and Highways was urged to respond to the criminal and administrative complaints filed involving the promenade which stretches from Sen.

Benigno Aquino Jr. Avenue to Carpenter’s Bridge at Mandurriao district.

Regional Director Edilberto Tayao and other officials were accused of violating the Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Act and administrative violations.

Former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorda, filed a complaint last year claiming that there are irregularities in the said pet project of Drilon.

Mejorda also earlier filed a complaint against the alleged irregularities in the construction of the P747-million Iloilo Convention Center (ICC).

Drilon, meanwhile, denied the accusations adding that the “baseless” claims are scaring away potential contractors.

“Because of the malicious and baseless allegations against the construction of the ICC, contractors and other participants are getting afraid that their names and businesses will be the next target of lies being concocted, and that their names will be dragged into the issue.

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