DPWH Executive Testifies on Budget Amendment Procedures in Revilla Trial
Cabral bypassed key office in budget amendments, DPWH exec tells court
Inquirer
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In the ongoing malversation trial of former Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr., a DPWH executive testified that the late Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral bypassed standard procedures by submitting budget amendments without necessary endorsements. This testimony raises questions about the legitimacy of the alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan.
- 01DPWH Assistant Secretary Alex Bote testified that budget amendments, referred to as 'errata', should have been endorsed by the planning division.
- 02Cabral submitted the errata directly to higher authorities without following the required chain of command.
- 03Engineer Gerald Longoria stated that Cabral produced the errata identifying Revilla as a proponent of the flood control project.
- 04The court has ordered the sealing of certain documents related to project proponents.
- 05Revilla has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged ghost project.
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During the malversation trial of former Senator Ramon 'Bong' Revilla Jr. concerning an alleged ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, DPWH Assistant Secretary Alex Bote testified that the late Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral did not follow proper procedures when submitting budget amendments known as 'errata'. According to Bote, these amendments should have been endorsed by the planning division before reaching higher authorities. He noted that Cabral communicated directly with the planning division, circumventing the established chain of command. Engineer Gerald Longoria corroborated that Cabral produced the errata, which implicated Revilla as a project proponent. The court has since sealed certain documents related to the project proponents, while Revilla maintains his denial of any wrongdoing.
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The trial's outcome could influence public perceptions of government accountability and transparency in infrastructure projects.
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