News Briefs

COA orders Genuino to return P2-M  donation

The Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) board chair Efraim Genuino to return the P2 million he donated to a private subdivision for drainage works in 2010.

In a  four-page decision, the COA “affirmed with finality” the disallowance of the financial assistance granted by the Pagcor board of directors to Pleasant Village Homeowners Association.

The assistance  was  for the flood control and drainage project  in Pleasantville Subdivision in Los Baños, Laguna.

The COA disallowed the assistance because it was used for private purposes, contrary to Genuino’s assertion that the area covered was public property and was meant to promote social justice. —Vince F. Nonato

Sandiganbayan affirms basis to try ex-LRTA chief

The Sandiganbayan has affirmed that probable cause exists to proceed with the graft trial of former Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Melquiades Robles for allegedly allowing the maintenance provider to shortchange the train system of janitorial services in 2009.

Robles and 10 LRTA  officials were accused of conspiring with the joint venture of COMM Builders and Technology Philippines Corp., PMP Inc., and Gradski Saobracaj GRAS.

Although LRTA procured the services of a minimum 321 janitors at a monthly cost of P3.37 million, the number of deployed janitors was allegedly reduced to 219.

The discrepancy allegedly resulted in injury to the government, to the tune of P1.07 million monthly or P12.86 million for the year 2009 alone.  —VINCE F. NONATO

Binay couple allowed to go on spiritual trip in Israel

Former Vice President Jejomar Binay and his wife Elenita have secured permissions from three different Sandiganbayan divisions to go on a spiritual trip to Israel from May 15 to 29.

The Third Division required  Binay to post a P752,000 bond for his travel and was able to comply with this condition on Thursday.

Mrs. Binay earlier posted a P660,000 bond for an earlier trip to Japan. Both Binays face criminal charges over  procurement anomalies during their respective terms as mayors of Makati City.

At the Third Division, Mr. Binay faces graft, malversation and falsification charges over the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall carpark building, while Mrs. Binay will soon be tried for graft and malversation over P45-million worth of hospital beds and equipment for the city-run Ospital ng Makati.

Binay also has a pending P72-million case at the Fifth Division. —VINCE F. NONATO