'Report' reveals identities

Documents from the office of Sen. Panfilo Lacson revealed yesterday the identities of politicians and government officials who were allegedly involved in the collusive practices among contractors bidding for government projects.

The documents were allegedly part of the report of the World Bank.

Among those tagged were the late senator Robert Barbers, two former congressmen, a former secretary and director of the Department of Public Works and Highways, and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

The report directly named former Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay, former Negros Rep. Jerome Paras and former DPWH Secretary Florante Soriquez, project director Lope Adriano and Eduardo de Luna, owner of the E. C. De Luna construction which was blacklisted by WB in the road project.

“Mr. De Luna takes an active role in arranging collusive bid schemes on behalf of contractors and politicians. Senator Barbers (now deceased) was very active in using his influence to further the collusive bid schemes,” a portion of the report read.

“I would like to report to you the latest move of EC De Luna, these days they are busy in raising the project ABC and force other contractors to give to China Geo 1.4B, China Road 1.6B and China Wuyi 1.6B, they use the First Gentleman and local politician like Congressman Paras in (Negros) and Congressman Pichay in Surigao, if the contractors don’t want to coordinate with them they will black list you or they will disqualify you always,” the WB report said.

“According to... members of the DPWH who have taken bribes included: former Secretary Soriquez (who is close to Mr. Arroyo and Mr. De Luna) and Project Director Adriano,” it said.

The WB report also showed that the commissions include five percent for Mr. Arroyo, while five percent to six percent went to the senator and congressmen.

The report further said three percent would go to the contractor, 10 to 15 percent to government officials of the agencies where the documents of road project would pass through.

“They already fix everyone, the ABC adjusted (higher than 10-15 percent original agency estimate), contractors arrange, SOP (divided) (FG 5 percent, local politician, 5-6 percent), contractors 3 percent and some other expenses) the bid price already allocated to different bidders, the bid price of the three companies will be 15 percent higher than the new,” the report said.

The witness, a Japanese contractor, said the meetings were held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila and that he feared for his life and his family.

The report said payments were made in cash and that his company’s books did not reflect them. The total payoff was between 15 and 20 percent. The witness said the books were doctored to avoid taxes.

Other names were mentioned, such as “Mr. Miranda” and “Mr. Belleza” who allegedly worked to manipulate bidding. - With Aurea Calica