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By Rommel C. Lontayao Reporter
Vice-Mayor Ishko Moreno of Manila
yesterday confirmed that there were efforts to bribe city officials,
especially members of the City Council, to get the multimillion
garbage contract of Leonel Waste Management Corp. immediately
approved.
In an interview with The Manila
Times, Moreno said that even he, as presiding officer of the City
Council, was offered bribe money of undetermined amount, which was
placed inside a paper bag.
However, Moreno said that he
declined to accept the bribe money and ordered it returned.
He did not directly say that
Leonel is involved in the bribe attempt. Moreno, however, disclosed
that a former councilor from the Manila’s fifth district had been
lobbying for the approval of the P600-million garbage contract with
the firm.
Leonel has earlier denied
resorting to bribe attempts for their contract to be approved. The
firm is Manila’s lone garbage contractor since 1993.
Moreno said he is personally
willing to undergo any investigation regarding the said bribe
attempts.
“I am very willing to submit to
any investigation as this will determine if any city official
accepted the bribe money,” he said.
Council fails to convene for
contract
Late last month, the Manila City
Council failed to convene and approve the controversial P600-million
garbage contract with Leonel, which has come under fire from the
Manila City Hall Employees Association (MCHEA).
In a statement, MCHEA alleged
that Leonardo Uy, owner of Leonel, “has been bragging that his
firm has already cornered the 2008 contract.”
MCHEA also alleged that city hall
officials and several councilors received millions of pesos in
bribes from Leonel, the reason why Uy appears to be so sure that he
will get the contract.
Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim
recently warned corrupt city hall officials and employees that he
will crack the whip on them. He even said such officials and
employees better leave city hall.
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