Bribery issue vs CICT head not yet settled - Aquino

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has disclosed the investigation into the alleged anomalies involving Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) chairman Ivan Uy has not yet been completed.

There are talks within the Palace that Uy may be one of those affected by the impending Cabinet revamp because he has been accused of bribery and other irregularities.

“(The issue on Uy) is not yet settled,” the President said.

Palace officials said they were not aware of who might be replaced or transferred following the President’s announcement of a minor shake up this month among members of his official family.

Sources said the name of Uy cropped up because of the accusations against him. Earlier reports said Uy was replaced as head of the Supreme Court’s management information system office some five years ago due to “inefficiency and anomalies.”

Uy was said to be involved in “anomalous procurement of computers” and other irregularities.

The President also denied that Oscar Orbos, who served as Cabinet official during the time of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino, would replace Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

Aquino has also yet to announce the replacement of Alfonso Cusi as director-general of regulator Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Ramon Gutierrez, whom Aquino had earlier appointed as CAAP deputy director general for administration, is the CAAP’s acting officer-in-charge.

Gutierrez, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1978, is said to be close to the President but there are also questions on his background, especially when he worked in the private sector, sources said.