Saturday, August 14, 2010

Pampanga Mayors League files corruption charges against Clark Airport President

QUEZON CITY - Pampanga Mayors League president Jerry Pelayo filed corruption charges before the Ombudsman Thursday against Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president Jose Luciano.

Pelayo, who is also mayor of Candaba town, said Luciano could also be held liable for dishonesty and malversation of public funds or property under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code.

The complaint stemmed from the involvement of Luciano on the alleged unauthorized and illegal demolition of 17 old warehouses inside the CIAC aviation complex.

Joining Pelayo as complainants are Angel Manalo, representing the Sta. Maria Dapdap, Mawaque Farmers Association; and Jose Paguinto, president of the Municipal Agricultural and Fisheries Council of Candaba town.

"Hinihiling ko rin kay Pangulong Noynoy Aquino na kung talagang seryoso siya na sugpuin ang korapsiyon sa ating bansa, sampulan niya itong si Luciano gaya ng lagi niyang sinasabi na kung walang korap walang mahirap," Pelayo lamented.

The other respondents in the case include CIAC officials Silverio Clemente and Ruel Angeles; Clark Development Corporation (CDC) officials Arnel Pineda and Tarcicius Tiotuyco; alleged president of the Office of the Tribal Chieftains Oscar Dizon; alleged President of the Bamban Aeta Tribal Association, Inc. (Bata) Oscar Rivera; and Josie Gomez and Antonio Castro, both private citizens.

"It was scandalous for us to find out that Luciano treated the facilities of Clark as if it were his private property," Pelayo said.

In a 12-page complaint, Pelayo narrated that Luciano caused the demolition of seventeen economically repairable and serviceable buildings owned by the government amounting to P100 million.

Pelayo claimed that "If these buildings were renovated instead, they could have been leased to locators and consequently would have brought much needed investments in the area."

It can be recalled that based on the report of the CIAC fact finding committee, demolitions were undertaken without the benefit of public biddings and without having to account to the government the proceeds thereof.

The committee report also stated that Luciano did not follow regular processes particularly in the disposal of government properties as stipulated in the guidelines of the Department of Budget and Management including the Commission on Audit.

The complainants were represented by lawyer Edna Batacan, who was assisted by lawyer Gerome Tubig.

Posted via email from Aviation Professionals dot Org

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