Ombudsman sacks Bislig mayor, 11 others, over P14.7-m deal

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Ombudsman announced Monday, September 11, the dismissal of a significant number of Bislig City government officials, including its chief executive, over a P14.75-million excavator deal which was found to be anomalous.

Dismissed for grave misconduct were City Mayor Librado Navarro and members of the local government unit’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), comprised of the following:

• City Administrator Charlito Lerog

• City Treasurer Roberto Viduya

• City Planning Development Coordinator Aprodecio Alba Jr.

• General Services Officer Felipe Sabaldan Jr.

• City Budget Officer-in-Charge Belma Lomantas

• OIC-City Engineer Lorna Salgado

• City Legal Officer Daisy Ronquillo.

Dismissed too were the the city’s Technical Working Group members City Accoutant Raquel Bautista, Gilbert Abungan, Laila Manclugob, and Estefa Mata.

In a statement, the Ombudsman said the charged officials committed “grave misconduct” over their involvement in acquiring a hydraulic excavator from Cebu-based RDAK Transport Equipment Inc on July 18, 2012.

The Ombudsman said they were favoring RDAK and “accorded it the benefit, advantage and preference it did not deserve.”

“It was found out that RDAK did not truthfully present the specification of the Komatsu unit in its bid,” the Ombudsman said on Monday, September 11.

The Ombudsman added that the TWG manupilated data in its report, citing the lack of truthful presentation of the equipment’s specification.

“The bidding was a failure as non of the bidders’ proposals were responsive; coupled with respondents going for RDAK’s less superior unit notwithstanding its glaringly higher price,” it added.

Based on a Commission on Audit (COA) Evaluation Report, it showed that the project did not comply with the technical specifications in terms of engine power, bucket capacity, and operating weight. But despite that, the project was awarded to thee company.

In August, Ombusman Conchita Carpio-Morales filed graft charges against the 12 officials for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Following the decision, Navarro will no longer be eligible for public office, with his retirement benefits forfeited, the Ombudsman said. – Rappler.com