MECO chief suspended over P3-M Kevlar helmet purchase

The former commandant of the Philippine Marines, who is now the head of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan, and seven other people have been suspended by the Sandiganbayan over the alleged anomalous procurement of P3.8 million worth of imported helmets.

Ordered suspended for three months were Marine and Navy officials led by Lt. Gen. Edgardo Espinosa; Colonels Natalio Torreno and Innocencio Artajos; Majors Luciardo Obena, Godofredo Tabila and Edmund Yurong, and Commander Eduardo Loyola. Also suspended was a civilian, Iluminada Flores.

The Ombudsman charged Espinosa and the others for the purchase of 500 Kevlar helmets in January 1999. The helmets were sourced from Taiwan when these should have been bought from the United States.

In a 20-page resolution, the fourth division of the anti-graft court held that the suspension of the accused did not require their guilt "to be established."

Justices Gregory Ong, Rodolfo Ponferrada and Jose Hernandez said that the facts presented to them on the charges pointed to a possible violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft Law, and showed "the existence of probable cause to hold the accused for trial."

They directed Ambassador Antonio Basilio, chairman and executive officer of MECO, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Narciso Abaya and Navy chief Vice Adm. Ernesto de Leon to implement the suspension order.

"In the meantime, the accused are directed to cease and desist from exercising the functions of their respective offices for 90 days immediately upon receipt of this resolution," the justices said.

The court did not give credence to Espinosa’s defense that since Meco is "organized and registered with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) as a private non-stock corporation," he should not be considered a public officer and charged with graft.

Members of the Bids and Award committee were likewise indicted by the Ombudsman for approving the acquisition of the Taiwan-made helmets, said to be of inferior quality to those made in the US. — Delon Porcalla