Ombudsman to prioritize case vs DepEd-7 officials

CEBU, Philippines - Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol has assured the public that they will prioritize the complaints lodged against officials of the Department of Education over the alleged anomalous furniture projects in Cebu totalling P45 million.

In an interview over dyLA, Apostol said the case against DepEd officials has been listed as one of their priorities for investigation based on his assessment of the complaints.

Apostol made the assurance following some apprehensions that the complaints might be left out because of other cases now being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

The Ombudsman also prioritizes the case surrounding the purchase by the Cebu provincial government of the controversial Balili property in Naga.

JEC Lumber Corporation, through its lawyer Manuelito S. Inso, filed a complaint against DepED-7 Director Recaredo Borgonia, Cebu Provincial School Division Superintendent Arden Monisit and former provincial school division superintendent Serena Uy.

Included in the complaint are DepED-Cebu Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman Judiana Corriente and members Romualdo Abella, Daria Sarsalejo, Norberto Torbeso, Willie Adonay, Jr., Salud Luna and Gerardo Mantos.

Borgonia had served as provincial schools division superintendent from January 2004 to January 2008.

Uy was the school division superintendent of DepEd-Cebu province from January 2008 until her retirement in January 2009. She was replaced by Monisit.

In its complaint, JEC Lumber said the biddings of DepEd-7 for school furniture projects in 2006 (amounting to P13 million), in 2007 (worth P17 million), and in 2008 (amounting to P14 million) were anomalous.

JEC Lumber alleged that DepEd-7 officials and the BAC conducted a bidding to favor a certain contractor. BAC allegedly disqualified JEC Lumber to benefit a favorite contractor.

A separate complaint also filed by another contractor, Ramagal Door and Sash Manufacturing, against members of the BAC.

The alleged irregularities got the attention of the House of Representatives and a House congressional inquiry will soon be held in Cebu.

The Cebu Provincial Board also asked the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas to look into the alleged irregularities. — Jose P. Sollano/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)