Top PPA-Zambales exec faces graft raps
MASINLOC, Zambales — The officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Philippine Ports Authority’s Terminal Management Office (TMO) in Masinloc, Zambales has been charged with graft before the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) for allegedly issuing a docking permit to a vessel at a port that had an invalid certificate to operate.
In a case filed last February 7 before the OMB for Luzon, Port Police Superintendent Manuel L. Vallejo is being accused of grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service under R. A. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In his sworn affidavit copy-furnished to The Manila Bulletin, complainant Monico Waje disclosed that Vallejo had issued a docking permit to “M/V EM Amber” on Jan. 22, 2018, allowing it to allegedly load the shipment of the Zambales Diversified Metals Corp. (ZDMC).
Waje questioned Vallejo’s issuance of the docking permit as “irregular and illegal” because the Port of DMCI in Barangay Bolitoc, Santa Cruz, Zambales had no valid certificate of registration and permit to operate.
The complainant offered as evidence to the Ombudsman “Annex C” which is a copy of DMCI’s certificate of registration/permit to operate that expired on Dec. 31, 2017.
Waje also submitted a letter dated Jan. 10, 2018 from Vallejo’s superior — Marieta G. Odicta, port manager of the PPA Port Management Office–Northern Luzon based in Poro Point, La Union — stating that DMCI Mining Corporation’s permit to operate was valid only until Dec. 31, 2017.
“By issuing the docking permit, respondent Vallejo, went overboard and overruled the position of Odicta, his superior,” said Waje in his affidavit, adding that Vallejo “could have been in connivance with DMCI or ZDMC since they are the ones at the receiving end.”
But the ZDMC Incorporated issued a statement saying that it has the legal documents to prove that its operations comply with legal and regulatory requirements.
ZDMCI told The Manila Bulletin that it has not received a complaint specifically relating to the alleged complaint filed against PPA Zambales officials “for allegedly issuing a docking permit that did not have a valid certificate to operate.”
“We would also like to point out that the Ombudsman has cleared the officers and representatives of DMCI Mining of any liability for lack of evidence to substantiate allegations of conspiracy with the PPA,” the statement said.
But citing PPA Administrative Order 013-77, Waje stated in his complaint that an application for berthing which presupposes an application to dock should have been deliberated upon. He claimed that Vallejo had allegedly issued the docking permit haphazardly without considering the expiration of DMCI Port’s permit to operate.
As such, Waje also asked the Ombudsman for Luzon to order Vallejo’s suspension from office to “deter the respondent’s influence upon witnesses and prevent pieces of evidence pertinent to the investigation from being hidden or destroyed.”
Waje is one of the owners of the lots beside the DMCI port who had earlier filed separate charges over the inclusion of their lots in the foreshore lease application of DMCI.