The News Today Online

Bribery raps up vs. guv’s top aide, chinoy businessman

By Florence F. Hibionada

Charges of direct and indirect bribery were filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against a top aide of Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. and a project sub-contractor of the Capitol.

The complainants, two retired members of the judiciary, former Judge Virgilio Sindico and Nicolas Monteblanco. The respondents – Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada and Chinese-Filipino businessman, James Ang.

With the criminal complaint lodged directly to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr., early and speedy investigation was sought alongside a “preventive measure”. This, the complaining ex-Judges averred was “in view of the fact that the continued corrupt practices shown herein would affect the present policy and crusade of the President against corruption in all levels and officials of government.”

“We are constrained to file this criminal complaint directly with your office for the reason that although the crime subject of the complaint were committed in the City of Iloilo but unfortunately the City Prosecutor is a relative of the Governor who appointed the respondent Manuel Mejorada as Provincial Administrator and who is now his close confidant so, in order to better to serve the interest of justice and to avoid delay in the disposition of the investigation, is the reason,” excerpts of the bribery complaint as obtained by The News Today stated.

The charges against Mejorada and Ang stemmed from the quarry operations brought by the ongoing construction of the multi-billion new Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan.

Mejorada was earlier subject of an investigation called by the Governor aimed at validating the charges of Niel Jimena, self-proclaimed dummy of the Provincial Administrator.

“In the hearing of June 24, 2005, respondent Manuel Mejorada voluntarily appeared before the committee and testified that he had a direct deal with respondent James Ang who is the supplier of the crushed aggregate materials to the Contractor (TAISHI) of the airport construction. He received P10.00/cu.m delivered to respondent James Ang. He, on his own, had given his business partner Niel Jimena P25,000 as share in their partnership in the delivery of aggregates to respondent James Ang,” the charges went as stated.

Forming part of the evidences presented to the DOJ secretary were office billings/documents that showed some P116,117.50 in supposed share/commission given to Mejorada. This, the two former Judges noted, was on top of the admission made by Mejorada himself as also shown in the Fact-finding report made by the three-man probe panel of the Governor.

The News Today tried to reach Mejorada in his office for comment but he was out of town at press time.