Defensor: No abuse of pork, with all computers accounted for

This refers to Gil Cabacungan’s front-page story in the Inquirer’s July 26 issue, which reported that “[t]he Department of Transportation and Communications has failed to account for roughly P66 million worth of computers and equipment bankrolled by pork barrel funds of nine lawmakers led by Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor Jr.” The same story says that P49.25 million came from my Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
The report, as released on July 25, 2013, was based on the DOTC’s performance and financial transactions in 2011. To set the record straight, let me state the following:

1. The audit report was for the financial transactions in year 2011. I left Congress in June 2010; therefore, my office could not have had any dealing with the DOTC after June 2010.

2. I know nothing about the P49.25 million, but it definitely did not come from my PDAF.

3. Our district was just a recipient of computers, since I then had continuing training projects involving computers at two training centers within the district, and an outreach program on computer education held at various barangays since 2004.

4. The money, the bidding and all processes for the acquisition of the computers were all handled by the DOTC. Our district was simply the recipient of the DOTC’s distribution program.

5. All of the computers given to my office were all properly accounted for.

I thought I had clarified this matter before when I wrote the editor and copy-furnished Cabacungan on the day the Inquirer story appeared. Unfortunately, my letter or answer never saw print. Thus I am compelled to send this reaction lest my silence be construed as an admission of guilt.

The Inquirer, one of the country’s leading newspapers, has seriously affected my reputation. I would very much appreciate, therefore, if the Inquirer published this letter to help clear my name.

—MAT DEFENSOR