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Thursday, December 23, 2004
Espinoza: Missing bridge funds
By Elias l. Espinoza
FAVILA. The detention of suspect Michel Favila Sr. at the office of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 remains an object of legal questions. (Favila is accused of killing lawyer Arbet Sta. Ana-Yongco.)
Despite the withdrawal of objections from lawyers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines handling the prosecution of Favila, the panel of investigators from the Department of Justice (DOJ) has yet to resolve the case.
When the rumors broke out in Cebu that Favila would leave the confines of the NBI office, NBI Director Reynaldo Wycoco reportedly sighed in disbelief over the unverified story.
At the height of the controversy over the supposed voluntary surrender of Favila to the NBI, the suspect signed a waiver of detention pending the resolution of the murder charge against him before the city prosecutor’s office.
The singing binge, however, of the defense and prosecution lawyers and Cebu City Prosecutor Cezar Tajanlangit at the latter’s office did not bode well with the public and the DOJ secretary.
The situation caused further delay since the DOJ created a panel of prosecutors from Manila to handle the preliminary investigation after doubts were raised on the partiality of the city prosecutor.
Since Favila already signed a waiver of detention, he can’t simply leave Cebu or the NBI office until after the preliminary investigation is concluded and he is found not liable for the charges.
There is an unseen tug-of-war between the prosecution and the defense regarding his release.
The Crime Against Violence (CAV) is spearheading the opposition.
Even with the directive of DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez, the panel of investigators composed of state prosecutors from Manila is sticking to their position not to hastily resolve the case for the sake of expediency.
One thing that the prosecution and CAV should appreciate is the fact that Favila has not been released despite talks that he would leave the NBI premises.
Being the primary suspect in the murder of Yongco and having signed a waiver, Favila is bound to stay where he is.
BRIDGE TOLL? It is unnecessary to further tax motorists by imposing a toll at the two Mactan-Mandaue bridges. There are supposedly funds available for their upkeep, but it appears that the amount is nowhere to be found.
The revelation of Paul Villarete, Cebu City planning and development chief, reeks of accusation of corruption against the graft-ridden Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The more than P900 million that, according to Villarete, DPWH 7 authorities have to account for is a lot of money and more than enough to maintain the upkeep and pay for the lighting of the two bridges.
DPWH 7 Director Juanito Abergas should not only explain how the money was spent, but also show the public where and what kind of project or projects it was used on. Be specific, director.
If we are to believe my agaw Paul Villarete, I don’t suppose this amount was realigned for midnight projects in the last elections. If it was, who gave the go-ahead?
Even granting this is true, I seriously doubt if Abergas has the guts to spill it out in public.
Be that as it may, the DPWH is bound to account for the funds intended for the two bridges.
Cannot the bridge management committee think of going after these funds for the upkeep of the two bridges instead of suffocating the taxpayers by imposing another burden, that is, the collection of toll at the two bridges?
It is an acknowledged fact that the DPWH, with all due respect to some honest officials in the agency, is one of the most corrupt agencies in government.
Under the circumstance, the bridge management committee should exert efforts to locate the P900 million missing funds intended for the two bridges even before thinking of imposing toll on the bridge.
(December 23, 2004 issue)
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