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Ex-PNP chief, 35 others tagged in anomalous deal

September 1, 2011 | 3:39pm

MANILA, Philippines – Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has ordered the probe of several incumbent and former Philippine National Police (PNP) officials for the alleged anomalies in the bidding and “ghost” repairs of 28 light armored vehicles worth P409.74 million in 2007.

The probe will focus on the alleged collusions of several high-ranking officials of the PNP, including its former chief Avelino Razon and its former director for comptrollership Eliseo dela Paz.

Aside from the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Robredo also directed the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to conduct a separate probe and file administrative charges against those personnel who were involved in the anomalous deal.

Apart from Razon and dela Paz, 34 others could face six to 10 years prison term for their involvement in the irregularity. Dela Paz has hogged the headlines during the House probe into the alleged "euro-generals" issue.

Also facing criminal liability are executives of the six suppliers, namely, Harold Ong of Environ-Aire Inc., Evangeline Bais of Evans Spare Parts and Motor Works, Repairs and Trading, Pamela Pensotes of RJP International Trading Construction and General Services, Oscar Madamba of Serpenair Group Inc., Rasha Zaballero of Dex-Lan Enterprises, and Marianne Jimenez of RKGK Enterprises.

Robredo said initial findings of the PNP-Fact Finding Committee revealed that all the police officers and civilians involved appeared to have colluded in violating the Government Procurement Act of 2002 (RA 9184) and graft and corruption in violation of Republic Act 3019.

"Many of the concerned PNP officers and suppliers committed falsification of documents, usurpation of authority and technical malversation. This could not have happened if there was no collusion between and amongst the bidders and the PNP personnel involved," he said.

The violations include the non-conduct of the mandatory pre-procurement conference; absence of bidding documents as required by law; the publication (in a non-existent or questionable newspaper) was insufficient in terms of the period required; the eligibility qualifications of the suppliers were neglected; the awards were divided, and no contracts between supplier and PNP were made.

On the status of the 28 V-150s , 15 units were serviceable while the 13 others are still unserviceable. The fact finding panel said the original acquisition of a new V-150 in the 1980s was only worth P2 million.

“In 2007, the repair cost made by the PNP to each of the 28 PNP V-150s was placed at P14 million each, in violation of COA circular 85-55a dated September 8, 1985 which prohibits repair costs that are 30 percent of the original acquisition cost,” Robredo said.

The fact-finding panel also found out that there were no actual delivery nor replacements made on the engines and transmission for the combat vehicles by the supplier RJP International which was paid out with P84 million.