Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — The Sandiganbayan convicted former officials of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) of graft for their involvement in the purchase of substandard wooden railway ties worth over ₱47 million.
Former division manager Abdul Aziz M. Pangandaman, former department managers Estelito A. Nierva and Ruben Arsenue Besmonte, lawyer Neofito C. Perilla, assistant department manager Gracia D. Dantes and principal engineers Cesar Lasquite Bocanog and Mario “Marlo” Dator Arias were all found guilty and will serve time of between six to 10 years for each count of graft as well as perpetual disqualification from public office.
There were two graft charges. The first involved a contract worth ₱37,747,832.60 for the purchase of Larch wood ties from Nikka Trading when documents specifically mentioned Yakal.
The other contract worth ₱9,387,148.23 was for the delivery of Larch wood ties — Yakal was also the kind of wood required in the documents.
The anti-graft court said the accused gave “unwarranted benefits, preference or undue advantage to Nikka Trading” in the purchase and delivery of the Larch wood components “while the accused knew fully well that the Board resolutions and all bidding documents required Yakal wood bridge ties, joint ties and switch ties.The court decision said the specification of Yakal means there can be no substitute for the material requested in the documents. However, supplemental bid bulletins modified the order to include other species of wood as long as it would suit the needs of local railways.As prosecution evidence showed, the Invitation to Bid was for the supply of Yakal. Nikka trading offered Larch. Yet, Nikka trading was awarded the contract for the supply of Yakal but delivered Larch wood which was accepted,” the court said.The Sandiganbayan added the properties of Larch wood are not at par with Yakal and Nikka Trading should have been disqualified.
