Port management group files charges vs. gov’t bank officials

The Negros Occidental-based Manapla Port Management, Stevedoring and Arrastre Corp. (MPSA) has filed a complaint against four officers of a government bank for alleged graft and corruption in relation to the “non-release of an approved loan.”

In a statement and during a press conference Thursday afternoon, MPSA officers and legal counsel said they filed a complaint for Violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Land Bank of the Philippines’ (LBP) Ma. Luisita M. Chiu, AVP/Head Negros Occidental North Lending Center, Rena S. Brillantes, Allan Bisnar, Vice-President, Central Visayas, and Francisco Jubelag.

The complaint was filed before the Ombudsman in the Visayas on March 5, 2025 by Atty. Rey Gorgonio in behalf of MPSA’s Alfredo Luis Sarrosa and Carlito Jimena.

Here’s the official Press Statement of MPSA:

The Manapla Port Management, Stevedoring and Arrastre Corporation filed a complaint for Violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act defined and penalized under Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019, False Testimony in Civil Cases and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interests of Public Service against Ms. Ma. Luisita M. Chiu, AVP/Head Negros Occidental North Lending Center, Rena S. Brillantes, Allan Bisnar, Vice-President, Landbank of the Philippines, Ceral Visayas, and Francisco Jubelag, on March 5, 2025.

The filing of the cases as a result of the abuses committed by the aforesaid public officers of the Landbank of the Philippines in connection with the Notice of Loan Approval (NOLA) dated October 23, 2023.

It must be recalled that the loan application of the Manapla Port Management, Stevedoring and Arrastre Corporation amounting to ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY MILLION PESOS (180,000,000.00) had been approved by the loan approving group of the Landbank of the Philippines. However, the release of the loan was sabotaged by the aforesaid officers.

The Manapla Port is a key to economic progress in the Province of Negros Occidental. It will serve to link up the new maritime route in Panay – Ajuy port -Concepcion port to Negros – Manapla port. Maritime transport improves the trade and contacts between international countries as well as increases the income of our people through the growth and development of tourism in the country. MPSA livelihood projects will help people make a living by providing employment, business opportunities and other support to improve the well-being of the community and sustain their living condition for a better future.

In addition, it provides employment opportunities for the domestic workforce as new cargo logistics facilities like warehouse infrastructure construction and port operations will be develop. It will boost tourism as it promotes new destinations for our guest travelers. Agrarian industry and food suppliers will generate growth income as well as our hotels and restaurants.

The project also involved the Yacht Club to further improve tourist activities as boaters from other parts of the country will dock and visit our tourist spots. The creation of the Export Processing Zones in the area is a strategy to boost export promotion, attract foreign direct investments and more jobs in the Province of Negros Occidental and neighboring regions. There will be demand for housing projects and transportation utilization. In summary, MPSA is not just an essential livelihood strength but also a legacy for nation building.

The Landbank of the Philippines through the aforesaid officers frustrated a major project that would propel the country into economic recovery, the MPSA statement concluded.

LBP

After the press conference, reporters visited the Landbank office in Bacolod City to interview Chiu and Brillantes but they were told the former were on leave and no one wanted to answer in behalf of the bank regarding the complaint.*