Ex-solon mulls graft charges vs former DILG chiefs Sueno, Roxas over P3-B firetruck contracts

FORMER INTERIOR and Local Government secretaries Ismael D. Sueno and Manuel A. Roxas may face graft and malversation charges over the P3.07 billion worth of firetrucks supply contract between the government and Austrian company Rosenbauer International Aktiengesekkschaft, according to Leo C. Romero, counsel for petitioner former Abakada party-list representative Jonathan A. Dela Cruz. “We are proceeding on that (case), We are just gathering some more documents which I have already initiated,” Mr. Romero said. “Documents in my possession point to his (Mr. Roxas’s) recommendation and approval of the first Supply Contract,” he added. Mr. Romero yesterday asked the Supreme Court to challenge the constitutionality of the contract that covers the purchase of 152 firetrucks for the Bureau of Fire and Protection. He pointed out a pending motion of the same nature that was filed last Jan. 17, which cited a constitutional provision that holds: “All cases involving constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law, which shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc.” —