Ex-PNR chief, kulong sa kasong graft

ni Ronalyn Seminiano Reonico | January 28, 2021

Sinentensiyahan ng Sandiganbayan ng pagkakakulong ang dating general manager ng Philippine National Railways (PNR) matapos mapatunayang guilty sa two counts ng graft dahil sa ilegal na kontrata sa 2 suppliers noong 2009.

Ayon sa Sandiganbayan, guilty si Manuel Andal sa two counts ng paglabag sa Republic Act 3019 o Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Aabot sa 8 hanggang 12 taong pagkakakulong ang hatol sa kada-bilang ng paglabag sa naturang batas. Pinagbabayad din si Andal sa pamahalaan ng P86,505,000 multa at disqualified na rin siya sa pagkakaroon ng puwesto sa public office.

Noong 2009, nakipagkasundo si Andal sa Pandrol Korea Limited (Pandol Korea) at Nikka Trading para sa 170,000 sets ng rail fastenings at 50,000 clips at insulators nang walang proper authorities.

Saad sa ruling ng Sandiganbayan, “In entering into the contract with Pandrol Korea without waiting for the Certification from the DOTC Secretary, accused Andal clearly gave unwarranted benefit and advantage to said company because he already committed the government to the transaction without the DOTC Secretary’s review of the propriety of direct contracting.”

Saad pa ng Sandiganbayan, “And, as it turned out, accused Andal found the material so offered by Nikka Trading to have more safety features than those offered by Pandrol Korea.

“As in the case with Pandrol Korea, accused guaranteed that the contract with it would push through even before a final determination can be made by the proper bodies as to the propriety of the said procurement and the mode resorted to.”

Wala rin umanong go-signal mula sa PNR Board of Directors ang pagbili ni Andal ng mga kagamitan.

Saad ng Sandiganbayan, “When the contract with Nikka Trading was entered into, there was no signified need from the PNR as an end-user, nor was there authority from the PNR Board of Directors to purchase the same items.

“Hence, it was clearly shown that the government suffered damage in the amount of P86,505,000, which reflect the amount paid per the said contract.”