Abaya confident ex-officials will be cleared from MRT mess
In a statement released Tuesday, Abaya said that all projects and agreements entered into during the former president Benigno Aquino III’s administration were “done with full, rigorous compliance with the law, with honesty and in the public interest.” PCOO
MANILA, Philippines — Former Transport secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya expressed his confidence that he and the others who are being charged in connection with the allegedly anomalous maintenance deal for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 will be vindicated.
In a statement released Tuesday, Abaya said that all projects and agreements entered into during the former president Benigno Aquino III’s administration were “done with full, rigorous compliance with the law, with honesty and in the public interest.”
The Department of Transportation filed plunder, graft and government procurement law violation complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday morning against Abaya and eight other Aquino Cabinet members.
Former Transport officials and Busan Universal Rail Inc. executives were also charged.
READ: Abaya, Roxas, others face plunder complaint over MRT deal
“Both for myself and my subordinates, I am sure we will be vindicated by the record,” Abaya said.
He added: “My only regret is that much-needed improvements will once again be delayed or even reversed because of the unfounded allegations.”
Liberal Party stalwart Sen. Franklin Drilon is also confident that the former Aquino administration members can respond to the charges.
“I don’t even think that there is an allegation that these respondents profited personally... I have confidence in the integrity of these people,” he said.
DOTr officials insisted that the filing of plunder complaint against the former officials was not politically motivated, alleging that these former officials might have earned kickbacks in the MRT deal.
The DOTr also filed graft charges against Abaya along with 10 former Transport officials and 10 incorporators of BURI in October.
On Monday, national democratic activist groups filed graft and procurement violation complaints against them.
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