Graft raps ordered filed vs 5 ex-Air Force officials

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered yesterday the filing of graft charges against five retired Air Force officials and the private contractors tagged in alleged irregular transactions for projects of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Dental Service Center and the 1351st Dental Clinic worth more than P5 million in 2003.

Charged before the Sandiganbayan were retired Brig. Gen. Francisco Callelero and retired Colonels Jaime  Rodrigo and Carlito Besorio, retired Maj. Rony Cubar, retired Capt. Ramir Llagas and private contractor Eric Muros of Elm Elek-Tru.

The five retired military officers will also be charged separately for graft, along with private contractor Basilio de Guzman of Guzi Enterprises.

The cases arose from a letter-complaint of retired Armed Forces chief General Ricardo David on the delay in the accomplishment and unsatisfactory result of the repair and rehabilitation of the AFP Dental Service Center (DSC) and 1351st Dental Clinic 10 years ago.

An audit of the office of the internal auditor of the military showed a number of irregularities, including lack of detailed engineering specifications resulting in additional scope of works; construction defects noted on the post/beam/cracked walls/inferior quality of floor tiles and sub-standard corrugated GI sheets installed; and discrepancies of amount stated in the deeds of agreement between the 335th aviation engineering wing and Guzi Enterprises and Elm Elek-Tru Products.

Records showed the supply of labor for the rehabilitation of the 1351st Dental and AFP-DSC building was outsourced to private contractors without the benefit of public bidding as required under the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Despite ample time given to the respondents, only Cubar and Llagas have submitted their counter affidavits.