New MMDA chief faces plunder, graft, other charges

MANILA, Philippines - Newly appointed Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino is facing plunder, graft, malversation and money laundering charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Despite the charges, Tolentino took his oath of office before President Aquino yesterday.

The charges stemmed from allegations of his former executive assistant, Ronald Tan, that he, as former Tagaytay mayor from 1994 to 2004, and his brother, incumbent Mayor Abraham Tolentino, amassed some P500 million in ill-gotten wealth.

In a four page complaint, Tan said both Tolentinos “amassed by way of unabated graft and corruption and abuse of power and authority ill-gotten wealth in the form of real estate properties, business, vehicles and bank deposits, which in no way can be justified as having been acquired legally through their earnings as public officials or even their private business ventures.”

Tan, who ran for vice mayor but lost during the May 2010 polls, alleged that the city government of Tagaytay lost funds, causing irreparable injury to the locality and the displacement of hundreds of poor residents.

He said there are Commission on Audit (COA) reports showing supposed financial anomalies.

The complainant said that Tolentino’s approval, before his term ended in 2004, paved the way for blatant land grabbing and anomalous auctions of prime real estate properties which his brother allegedly continued by taking such practice to “new heights and unashamed intensity.”

Tan said that the respondent’s relatives and dummies allegedly participated in the “staged property auctions,” thus allowing them to own “almost all of the prime real estate in strategic locations around the city.”

“The Silang Crossing Junction is a classic display of the respondent’s unhampered and audacious display of luxurious lifestyle and ill-gotten wealth with almost the entire junction of buildings and businesses now owned by one family,” the complainant said.

Tan said the Tolentinos own a 7-Eleven franchise, several hotels, restaurants, gasoline stations, buildings, large tracts of land, houses and lots, luxury cars and other wealth, which cannot be logically acquired on a mayor’s salary.

He added that the Tolentinos failed to report “this irregular and rapid increase in wealth” in their Statements of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth, violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees.

“Respondents are expected to use the age-old defense and excuse that the complainant is a ‘defeated political opponent’ but the only interest of the complainant herein is justice in view of the grave suffering of countless residents victimized by the abuses and corruption of the respondents,” Tan stressed, adding that he had been receiving death threats since he filed the case on July 21, 2010.

Tolentino: Black propaganda

But the new MMDA chief is unfazed by Tan’s allegations.

Tolentino said he would pursue various drives in Metro Manila to address the traffic and flooding problems despite the black propaganda against him.

He said he was ready to face the charges but described it as “nuisance black propaganda” to derail his plans.

The complaint was filed two days before he assumed the MMDA post.

“Maybe I am stepping on big people who could be behind (these moves),” he said.

“But we will pursue our plans and help alleviate traffic condition in Metro Manila. This is just a personal storm. What I’m worried about is the four typhoons that would probably hit NCR (National Capital Region). We should brace for that, MMDA is preparing for any eventuality.”

He said he enjoys the right of presumption of innocence although he admitted owning a hotel, which he said was under mortgage.

“This is political. When I was mayor there were no cases filed against me. It is only now when I became MMDA chairman,” he said.

Crackdown

Tolentino said that the MMDA will continue its crackdown on colorum vehicles, which has already netted 82 apprehensions as of 9 a.m. yesterday.

He said investigations into some MMDA officials’ and employees’ alleged involvement in irregularities would continue, as well as the reshuffling of people and review of traffic operations.

The new MMDA chief has ordered the relief of MMDA Traffic and Transport Management Office executive director Angelito Vergel de Dios from his post on Monday because of alleged “payola” or payoffs.

De Dios was reassigned as Director IV of the agency’s Health, Public Safety and Environmental Protection, after serving as traffic head of the agency for nine years.

He said the crackdown will also involve other corrupt MMDA officials and traffic enforcers.

Last week, Tolentino revealed that several bus firms and FX terminals were paying monthly and weekly “payola” to erring MMDA traffic enforcers and officials.

The South Luzon Bus Operators Association supported Tolentino’s revelation and said they were prepared to help the agency in its anti-”kotong” (extortion) drive.

He said the reshuffle of people would continue gradually, “the main purpose of which is not just to clean the streets but also to clean the ranks of the MMDA.”

Tolentino said he had met with Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, who agreed to turn over flood-control projects to his agency. He said he requested for dredging machines, many of which are in Pampanga, so they could be used in Metro Manila.

Tolentino also welcomed the information given voluntarily to him by various sectors as regards the problems he would have to resolve.

He said he would like to have an urban transport code of corporate responsibility wherein bus operators and other stakeholders would sign an agreement to police their own ranks. – Aurea Calica, Mike Frialde