Ex-DPWH exec's graft case stays

The trial of the graft charges against the former chief the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Central Visayas stays.

This after the Sandiganbayan denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Juanito Abergas, who was sued over the ‘illegal reimbursement’ of his travel expenses amounting to P1.8 million from 2002 to 2005.

“The accused failed to present any cogent argument that would warrant a reversal of the resolution,” read the resolution penned by Associate Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez. In 2015, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales charged Abergas with three counts of violation of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan.

Abergas’s claim of reimbursements consist of travel expenses, extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses, and actual and incidental expenses.

In 2005, the Commission on Audit (COA) 7, in its fact-finding investigation, discovered that Abergas’s travel expenses amounting to P603,459.55 were reimbursed without submitting documents, such as the certificates of appearance and travel authority. His extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses amounting to P784,430.94 exceeded the ceiling set by law. These were incurred not in the performance of official duty or for the benefit or interest of public service, the ombudsman said. Reimbursements of actual and incidental expenses reached P416,515.70.

COA found out that Abergas requested reimbursement for “pasalubongs,” such as dried fish, dried mangoes, dried squid, chicharon and other grocery items, as well as extra terminal fees and rebooking fees for his wife. From 2002 to 2005, Abergas had 133 travels, 88 of which had no travel authorities.

Abergas also failed to submit certificates of appearance in all his travels. For 2004 and 2005, COA also found that Abergas failed to present boarding passes in almost all of his trips.

He filed a motion for reconsideration after the Sandiganbayan denied his motion to quash information and motion to defer the proceedings last year. /