The spokesperson of the Public Estates Authority Tollways Corporation (PEATC) vowed on Friday, May 10, to defend the state-owned firm’s head, Dioscoro E. Esteban Jr., following the filing of criminal complaints against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.
PEATC spokesman lawyer Ariel Inton said the filing of the cases by the Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) appeared to have stemmed from the determination of Esteban to give what is due to the national government when sought the management and collections of fees of the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex).
“We have not received a copy of the alleged complaint. But we are ready to defend OIC (officer-in-charge) Steve Esteban from any malicious and unfounded complaint,” said Inton in a statement.
“At the outset this criminal complaint is just a useless attempt on the part of CIC to divert the real issue and that is to recover the operation and collection of fees that rightfully belongs to PEA Toll Corporation,” he added.
On May 6, the CIC, through its head of legal service lawyer Criselda M. Funelas, filed criminal cases against Esteban for perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), usurpation of authority under Article 171 of the RPC, slander under Article 358 of the RPC, and for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In the complaint, it stated that Esteban should be held liable for terminating the services of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) on Jan. 31 this year. And despite the rejection of the OGCC to terminate its services since it is the primary law office of the GOCCs, Esteban allegedly ignored it and hired four private lawyers that include Inton.
The complaint also stated that Esteban has no authority to insist on the management and collection of Cavitex toll fees, including the filing of Petition for Mandamus before the Court of Appeals, because he is merely an OIC of the PEATC.
As for the case of slander, the complaint stated that it stemmed from a press tour which "relentlessly spread false and misleading assertions... to the substantial detriment of CIC."
"Respondent's imputation of corruption against CIC was made with malice and with the intent to cause dishonor, discredit, or contempt of CIC in order to stir public opinion against it while the petition is still pending," the complaint read.
For Inton, the arguments raised against Esteban are purely personal attacks.
“The arguments they are raising against OIC Esteban are purely personal attacks and are insignificant issues compared to the billions of pesos he is trying to recover for the benefit of the Filipino people earned by the government from tollway fees at Cavitex,” said Inton.
“Esteban is merely protecting the interest of the government,” he added.