Palace: WB case now in proper forum

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman's decision to probe 17 people for irregularities involving World Bank-funded road projects got cheers from Malacañang Thursday amid criticisms that the agency failed to catch the "big fish." Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the Palace is relieved that the case will now go to court, which he said is the proper forum for those involved to face the accusations against them. “Mabuti yan at sa wakas lumabas ang resulta ng investigation ito sinampa sa husgado and this can be addressed in the proper forum [It is good that at last, the results are out and filed before the court so that this can be addressed in the proper forum]," Remonde said in an interview on dzXL radio. Critics of Malacañang had questioned the Ombudsman’s decision, which excluded First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. Earlier, Sen. Panfilo Lacson showed excerpts of a World Bank report citing witnesses who linked the First Gentleman to alleged bribery and collusion among contractors. But Remonde said that despite the brouhaha involving the National Road Improvement and Management Program (NRIMP), the WB is satisfied with the Arroyo government’s handling of the problem. He said the WB had approved the second and third phases of NRIMP, and will set aside additional funds for good governance and anti-poverty programs. “Ito ay indication ng patuloy na pagtitiwala sa atin ng WB [This is a sign the WB still trusts us]," he said. On Wednesday, the Ombudsman recommended the conduct of a preliminary investigation on the DPWH officials that include former DPWH secretary Florante Soriquez, current undersecretary Manuel Bonoan, and assistant secretaries Bashir Rasuman, Salvador Pleytol and Juanito Abergas. Also recommended to be investigated are Mocamad Raki-in Sr, vice-chairman for the Mindanao area; Rafael Yabut, vice chairman for operations for Area III; BAC members Emerson Benitez, project manager lll and head of the BAC-Technical Working Group; Baliame Mamainte, project director of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development-Project Management Office (IBRD); Lope Adriano, project director for the IBRD-PMOP; and Atty. Joel Jacob, officer-in-charge of Legal Service. Others are Camilo Foronda, OIC for Legal Service; Director Antonio Molano, Jr. of the Bureau of Research and Standards; Leonora Cuenca, OIC of the Comptrollership and Financial Management Services; Director Walter Ocampo of the Bureau of Construction, all BAC members and Florencio Aricheta, representative from National Constructors Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Construction Association. - GMANews.TV