Dong Gonzales posts P270k bail for 3 counts of graft over alleged conflict of interest

MANILA — Former Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales has posted P270,000 bail for all three counts of graft over alleged conflict of interest involving infrastructure projects.

The Sandiganbayan Third Division confirmed Gonzales posted a P90,000 bail for his graft charge on Tuesday morning.

He is set to be arraigned on Nov. 6 before this division.

Gonzales also posted bail for his two separate graft charges before the Second and Seventh Division last week.

“Of course, I will prove myself innocent kasi po hindi po ako nangingialam [sa mga infrastructure projects] diyan… Makakakuha ako ng maraming project kung nangialam po ako,” Gonzales said in an ambush interview.

“Pero hindi po ako nangialam because I know na when I became a congressman in 2007… tumigil po ako. Hindi na po ako nagkakontrata kasi po takot po ko sa sinasabi nilang conflict of interest,” he added.

The Office of the Ombudsman accused Gonzales, who is reportedly linked to A.D. Gonzales Construction and Trading Company, of being a so-called “congtractor” or a lawmaker who also own or manage construction firms with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contracts.

“The name of the company kasi… pangalan ko po ‘yon kasi nasa pribadong pamumuhay ako noon. I am a civil engineer and I am a businessman. I am a contractor that time… This is my bread and butter,” Gonzales said.

He claimed that he has already divested from the construction firm and dismissed the allegations as political maneuvering.

“Politika lang po yun. Sana po itigil na natin yung local politics,” said Gonzales.