Poe, Binay on MRT deal: Why was Abaya spared from graft charges?

MANILA – Although Senators Grace Poe and Nancy Binay are criticizing each other’s camp, both senators alike demand explanations on why Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya has been spared from the Ombudsman’s graft raps on the purported anomalous MRT-3 contract.

According to Poe and Binay, Abaya is the one who signed the MRT-3 maintenance contract in 2012. The Ombudsman, however, has only indicted MRT general manager Al Vitangcol and five others namely Marlo Dela Cruz, Wilson de Vera, Manolo Marali, Federico Remo, and Arturo Soriano.

Based from the results of the investigations, Vitangcol has foregone bidding and favored Philippine Trans Rail Management and Services Corporation (Phil Trans) as the MRT-3’s maintenance contractor.

“While we respect the findings and recommendations of the Ombudsman in the indictment of Mr. Vitangcol and his cohorts, I would like to read the text of the resolution in full to find out the reasons why DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya was not included despite having allegedly signed the contract presumably with full knowledge of the facts and the applicable law surrounding such anomalous procurement of services,” Poe said in a statement, clarifying, however, that she is not condemning Abaya.

Poe also asks why Philippine National Police (PNP) former chief Alan Purisima has been dismissed from his post for his anomalous transaction with a courier company, while Abaya has been excluded in his deal with the MRT-3.

It can be recalled that the Ombudsman has investigated on the anomalous MRT-3 contract last year and later on filed graft complaints against Abaya and 20 others. But upon reaching a resolution this year, only Vitangcol and 5 others from the Phil Trans have been indicted.

Binay, on the other hand, is not surprised by the Ombudsman’s resolution as she reiterated the practice of ‘selective justice’ in President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s administration.

“It’s a puzzlement why Secretary Abaya, who signed the contract, was not included in the case. This is evidence of selective justice,” Binay said in a radio interview, mentioning that Abaya is a close ally of Aquino and is a member of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

Binay then asserts that there have been many instances when the Ombudsman has only been ‘looking at’ her family.

She cites the dismissal of Senate President Franklin Drilon’s case in connection with the alleged anomalous construction of the Iloilo Convention Center; the revival of her mother former Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay’s case involving the alleged overpriced hospital beds in Ospital ng Makati; and the recent six-month preventive suspension on her brother Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay.