Ex-MWSS chief ordered arrested

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of a former Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) administrator who diverted nearly P20 million in emergency funds intended for repairs after a typhoon to lease a helicopter in 2005.

The first division of the antigraft court issued Friday afternoon an arrest warrant for former MWSS administrator Orlando Honrade, who is facing graft charges at the court.

The warrant, forwarded to the Quezon City Police District, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and the National Capital Region Police Office, was signed by Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz.

Honrade was charged with graft by the Ombudsman last month after he allegedly used a P19.36-million emergency fund disbursement to lease a helicopter chopper from private aircraft firm Asia Aircraft Overseas Philippines, Inc.—INAEC Aviation Corp.

The MWSS Board of Trustees allowed the release of the emergency fund in 2005 for the construction of an emergency bridge and clearing of areas of the Umiray-Angat Transbasin Project, which stretches from Bulacan to Quezon Province.

The area had to be rehabilitated after suffering damage from Typhoons “Winnie” and “Yoyong” earlier that year.

The antigraft court had earlier issued a hold departure order against Honrade. Law enforcement officials will now attempt to serve the warrant at Honrade’s last known address in La Mesa Heights, Lagro, Quezon City.