Drilon says Lopez turning a ‘blind eye’ to PITC’s ‘schemes;’ DTI chief disputes senator

MANILA, Philippines — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon accused Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez of turning a “blind eye” to the “devious schemes” of the Philippine International Trading Center (PITC), but the latter said he would be the first to investigate should there be signs of anomalies.

Drilon, who earlier flagged some P33-billion “parked” in the bank accounts of the PITC, criticized Lopez on Friday for his supposed inaction in having the said funds reverted to the national coffers.

“Sec. Lopez turns a blind eye and a deaf ear to a practice that is legally and morally wrong. It is willful ignorance,” the minority leader said in a statement. Lopez chairs the PITC board.

“In the face of the recommendation of the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) secretaries, the continued defense of Secretary Lopez of PITC reminds us of the saying ‘see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil,’” Drilon added.

Likewise, he warned Lopez and PITC officials of a possible violation of the country’s anti-graft laws.

“The PITC management may be held liable for technical malversation for using the funds of the agencies for a different purpose from which these were originally appropriated by law,” the senator said.

According to Drilon, fund transfers deposited by various government agencies to the PITC is for the procurement of products and services authorized under various General Appropriations Act.

These are “not meant to be placed in money markets,” he noted.

Earlier, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III wrote to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, asking the latter to recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the return of the “parked” funds in the PITC.

The senator said the return of the P33 billion could augment funding to the government cash-strapped by the pandemic.

Lopez disputes Drilon

But Lopez disputed Drilon’s claim, saying that he “immediately took action based on the statements of the good [s]enators.”

“We don’t tolerate corruption. Never.  PITC has a mandate that it is implementing to the best of its ability, and it has instituted reforms, under this administration, precisely to address those concerns,” the DTI chief told INQUIRER.net in a text message when sought for comment on Drilon’s statement.

“I am definitely not turning a blind eye since I will be the first to investigate if there are signs of anomaly,” Lopez added.

Based on reports and documents submitted to him, he said that funds pending with the PITC are either for ongoing procurement or awarded projects.

“Hence, not idle,” Lopez said.

“As proven by documents like the Agency Outsourcing Request (AOR), all funds transferred are fully accounted and used for the procurement of the goods and services,” he added.

‘PITC has nothing to hide’

“The records are as they say are the best evidence. PITC has nothing to hide. Its funds and operations are strictly audited by the [Commission on Audit],” Lopez further said.

“For transparency, I have asked PITC to provide those documents, including the breakdown and status of the P33 [billion], to Sen. Drilon,” he added. [ac]