Ombudsman report on WB road mess out Wed

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to release on Wednesday its report on the alleged bribery-ridden World Bank road projects that were linked to the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. A GMA Flash Report on Monday quoted Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni as saying that in two days’ time, the government watchdog would release the result of its investigation, which was approved by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez two weeks ago. The result of the investigation was based on the field investigation conducted by Jalandoni's team, a nine-page referral report from the World Bank, and transcripts of interviews on several witnesses who claimed that bribery occurred during the projects' bidding process. The transcripts were provided by the Bank. First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo was dragged into the controversy after he was accused of benefiting from the projects through the alleged collusion of government officials, contractors, and other individuals. Mr. Arroyo repeatedly denied the accusation. Jalandoni refused to identify who could possibly be charged in the mess. He also refused to discuss if the result of the investigation included recommendations. After receiving reports that its National Roads Improvement and Management Project (NRIMP) in the Philippines were ridden with bribery, the World Bank banned seven construction companies – three Filipino-owned and four Chinese-owned – from bidding in WB-funded projects. The three Filipino-owned companies were precluded from bidding for allegedly paying off government officials to bag the NRIMP. Despite the noise created by mess, the World Bank said it would still consider extending another financial assistance to the Philippines through a $3-billion lending program that would help fight off poverty. Impeach raps vs Gutierrez Gutierrez was earlier grilled in the Senate for her office's failure to immediately conduct an investigation into the alleged mess, despite already having a copy of the World Bank report on the controversy. Gutierrez countered the allegation against her. She said that while she had ordered an investigation into the matter, the probe did not bear fruit because the World Bank apparently did not not share with her office the evidence that it used in its report. Critics assail Gutierrez, not only for the alleged mess in the WB project, but also for allegedly sitting on other high-profile cases, which include that of former Justice Secretary Hernando Perez and the P720-million fertilizer fund scam. The criticisms triggered an impeachment complaint against Gutierrez that was filed by former Senate president Jovito Salonga at the House of Representatives. The complaint had sent the Ombudsman into a retaliatory mood during a press conference that Guetierrez called for. During the conference, the ombudsman hit back at Salonga. She also criticized former Social Welfare secretary Corazon “Dinky" Soliman and advised the latter to focus on her hair highlights instead of giving color to the Ombudsman's functions. - GMANews.TV