2 PNP execs dismissed over P131-M rubber boats

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Tuesday ordered the suspension and dismissal of ranking officials of the Philippine National Police over the anomalous purchase of 75 rubber boats in 2009.

Ordered dismissed from the service were Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino Jr. and Chief Superintendent Herold Ubalde, who were found liable for gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct for the P131.5 million rubber boat contract.

Aside from the dismissal from service, the Ombudsman ordered the forfeiture of their retirement benefits. They were also meted with "perpetual disqualification to hold public office."

Morales, meanwhile, ordered the six-month suspension, without pay, of Director George Piano, Chief Superintendent Luis Saligumba, Senior Superintendent Job Nolan Antonio and Senior Superintendent Edgar Paatan, all members of the PNP’s Inspection and Acceptance Committee.

The four officials were held liable for simple neglect of duty.

Morales also ordered the one-month suspension of Joel CL Garcia alias Joel Crisostomo de Leon Garcia, Ronald Lee, Ma. Linda Padojinog, and Ruben Gongona, all members of the PNP National Headquarters Bids and Awards Committee and Technical Working Group.

The Ombudsman, meanwhile, gave a "stern warning" to National Police Commission Director Conrado Sumanga "to be more circumspect in the performance of his duties." Sumanga is a member of the Oversight Committee and Acting Service Chief of the Installations and Logistic Service.

The Office of the Ombudsman said that the case stemmed from the complaint and supplemental complaint filed against the police officials last Nov. 15, 2011 and Feb. 17, 2012.

The Ombudsman said that the PNP bought, through negotiated procurement, 75 rubber boats and 18 spare engines or outboard motors intended for use by the PNP Maritime Group as part of the PNP’s Annual Procurement Plan for 2008 under its Capability Enhancement Program Funds.

"Upon delivery of the equipment, the PNP Maritime Group’s Technical Inspection Committee on Watercrafts scrutinized the deal and found out that there were deficiencies in the equipment and that they were dangerous to use," the Ombudsman said.

It said that based on investigation, the boats and engines were "not compatible" and "not functional."

The Ombudsman, meanwhile, spared former PNP Director General Jesus Verzosa and 18 other police officials, who were also charged for the anomalous contract, for lack of jurisdiction as they have already retired from the police service. - report from Michael Punongbayan