Ex-LRTA chief Robles, 12 others ordered arrested for graft rap

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of former Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) administrator Melquiades Robles and 12 others for the alleged anomalous implementation of the system's janitorial contract in 2009.

Sandiganbayan orders arrest of ex-LRTA chief Melquiades Robles, 12 others for graft. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/wHq18nvDQV

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) March 2, 2017

Ordered arrested along with Robles are former LRTA officials Federico Canar Jr., Dennis Francisco, Evelyn Macalino, Marilou Liscano, Elmo Stephen Triste, Eduardo Abiva, Nicholas Ombao, Roger Vaño, Maynard Tolosa and Juliet Labisto, and private respondents Lilia Diaz and Dennis Acorda.

A hold departure order has also been issued against the respondents, who were accused of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

On Friday, the respondents posted a P30,000-bail each before the Sandiganbayan, Super Radyo dzBB's Allan Gatus reported.

@gmanews A hold departure order has also been issued on Robles and his co-accused. pic.twitter.com/ss2rllYNjb

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) March 2, 2017

In its charge sheet filed before the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman said the respondents gave "unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference" to Joint Venture of COMM Builders and Technology Philippines Corp.

The Ombudsman claimed the respondents paid Joint Venture P3.37 million per month to deploy 321 janitors.

They, however, allowed the reduction in the number of janitors to be deployed from 321 to 219.

This, the Ombudsman said, modified "the terms of the Contract with the Joint Venture for the Maintenance of the LRT Line 1 System, causing undue injury to LRTA in the amount of P1,072,051.30 per month or P12,864,615.63 in 2009 alone.” —KG/RSJ, GMA News