Ombuds, COA findings on PC purchases clash

CEBU - The findings of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas and the Commission on Audit on the alleged overpricing of computer purchased for barangays in Cebu City’s north district were found to contradict each other.

While the Ombudsman-Visayas said there was no payment made for the questioned computer units COA said they had been paid for.

Based on the COA-7 letter dated last September 29, addressed to City administrator Francisco Fernandez, COA did not find any irregularity in the 2002 and 2003 purchase of computers worth P10 million for 20 barangays in Cebu City.

State auditor Josette Rodriguez said they based their report on records as well as the Barangay Annual Audit Reports of calendar year 2002 and 2003.

Each computers is reportedly pegged at P100,000 each when the actual cost of per computer unit is only about P39,000 each.

These 20 barangays are Adlaon, Agsungot, Apas, Binaliw, Busay, Carreta, Ermita, Guba, Hipodromo, Camputhaw, Lahug, Lusaran, Luz, Mabolo, Pahina Central, Pasil, Pulang Bato, Sto. Niño, Sambag I and Zapatera.

The anti-graft office in its resolution dated August 27, 2003 signed by graft investigating officer Gaudioso Melendez, director Virginia Palanca-Santiago and former deputy Ombudsman Primo Miro, dismissed the case filed by taxpayer Mariano Nadera over the alleged overpricing of computers for barangay Carreta for lack of probable cause.

But Nadera’s complaint filed on January 13, 2003 tackles the alleged overpricing of computers to the 20 barangays and not just barangay Carreta.

However, the Ombudsman-Visayas in their resolution on the case filed by former Carreta councilman Antonio Conahap dated January 3, 2002, who is questioning on the alleged irregularity in the purchase of computer in the said barangay only.

The anti-graft office has not ruled as to what was the status of the purchased on the other 19 barangays.

Nadera filed a complaint of violation of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as the Anti-Graft against north district Rep. Raul Del Mar, former Carreta barangay captain Helen Bolabola and Global Trade Development Corporation for the grossly overpriced purchase of the said computers for the said barangays while Conahap’s complaint asked the anti-graft office regarding the audit of the money as financial assistance released by DBM to their account for the purchases of computers.

Nadera added that the bidding conducted by Del Mar and Bolabola was rigged and intended to appear as if there was really a public bidding when there was none.

But Carreta officials insisted there was a public bidding and said the disbursement voucher for payment of the computer units was cancelled as a result of the filing of the said complaint.

The Ombudsman-Visayas dropped Del Mar from the charge contending that there is no basis for further proceedings against the latter while the other respondents were told to be more careful with government money.

In the same resolution, it stated that “there has been no payment made for the questioned computer units” specifically in barangay Carreta, but COA said the computer were purchased not just in the other 19 barangays but also in barangay Carreta.

COA based its findings on the letter from the Department of Budget and Management signed by former Secretary Emilia Boncodin dated July 26, 2002 addressed to the former barangay captain of Carreta that says, “the amount of P500,000 was released and credited to your current account maintained at Land Bank of the Philippines through MDS Check no. 0000362408 dated June 11, 2002”.

As per record from the DBM, NCA No. 120867-5, a budget of P500,000 each were subject for release for the purchase of computers in the said 20 barangays.

The said amount came from the Local Government Service Equalization Fund and serviced by the Land Bank of the Philippines. -Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/BRP (THE FREEMAN)