Palace on Abaya indictment over MRT mess: It’s about time

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Malacañang on Monday said that “it’s about time” the Ombudsman indicted former transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya over the anomalous P4.2 billion Metro Rail Transit 3 (MRT-3) maintenance contract.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was those who plundered government funds must be held accountable.

“It’s about time and we appreciate that. Kung naalala niyo po, kung hindi ito nakasuhan, talagang isa-isa naming irerelease ang mga dokumento. Pero nandiyan na po ang desisyon ng Ombudsman,” Roque said in a Palace briefing in Cagayan de Oro.

(If you remember, if they weren’t charged, we would release the documents one by one. But now the decision of the Ombudsman is here.)

“It’s about time po na magkaroon ng pananagutan, lalung lalo na sa mga nandarambong naman ng pondo para sa MRT na ngayon ay nagbibigay ng talaga namang napakalaking pahirap sa ating mga mananakay,” he added.

(It’s about time they are held accountable, especially those who looted the funds for the MRT which is giving the commuters a very difficult time.)

Aside from Abaya, 16 other were charged over the anomalous deal for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

READ: Ombudsman indicts Abaya, 16 others over P4.2-B MRT maintenance contract

Abaya, in a text message to reporters, said he found it “unfortunate” that the Office of the Ombudsman has decided to file graft charges against him. /je

READ: Abaya finds Ombudsman indictment ‘unfortunate’