MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of two former top officials of the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila after they were found guilty of grave misconduct in relation to a questionable P46.71-million contract.

In a 14-page decision made public by the Manila Collegian – the official student publication of UP Manila – the Ombudsman said former Chancellor Manuel Agulto and former Vice Chancellor Joselito Jamir disregarded rules on procurement as provided in Republic Act 9184.

Rappler confirmed the authenticity of the document with the Office of the Ombudsman. 

The complaint stemmed from a 2013 incident wherein the university terminated the service contract of complainant 168 Security and Allied Services Inc (SASI) “for loss of trust and confidence” despite the agency’s “very satisfactory rating as shown in the evaluation reports of the Chief Internal Audit Officer of UP Manila.”

Agulto also directed another agency, CSSI Security Services Inc.(CSSI) to take over as security agency on July 31, 2013 – the deadline for SASI to reply whether it is interested to continue serving UP Manila.

“What is most disconcerting, however, is the engagement of CSSI without benefit of a competitive public bidding as required under Section 10 or pursuant to a negotiated procurement under Section 53 of RA 9184,” the decision read.

The Ombudsman said Agulto and Jamir failed to present “convincing justification” for the take-over of the P46.71-million contract despite the claim they engaged CSSI’s services “to prevent a hiatus in the security situation of UP Manila.”

“The procedural lapses and disregard of the procurement law which respondents as head of the procuring entity and as the official in charge of UP Manila’s administration, respectively, ought to know by heart and should have consulted on with the Bids and Awards Committee extensively, are tantamount to a serious breach of duty,” the decision read. 

Both officials face the following penalties:

• Cancellation of eligibility
• Forfeiture of retirement benefits (except for accrued leave credits)
• Perpetual disqualification for re-employment in the government service

SASI’s charges against Agulto and Jamir for abuse of authority and oppression were dismissed for lack of substantial evidence.

Assistant Ombudsman Jennifer Jardin-Manalili reviewed the decision, dated October 13. Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the decision on October 24.

The order comes as UP Manila swore into office its new chancellor, Dr Carmencita Padilla, on October 29. – Rappler.com