MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday dismissed top officials of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) for the P3.7-million bidding scam in relation to the construction of the New Bilibid Prison building in 2012.
The Ombudsman found that several BuCor officials violated Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
Former BuCor acting Director Gaudencio Pangilinan and Chief Administrative Officer Ligaya Dador face five counts of violation of RA 3019. Meanwhile, Pangilinan and Administrative Officer Larry Hari face one count of violation of RA 9184.
Chief of Staff Venancio Santidad and representatives of suppliers Grand Potential Press In. and Dothain Solutions - Alman Madrid, Lawrence Balolong, Julita Balolong, Alex Del Rosario, Alicia Madrid, Nelson Lee Cheng, Gina Rabancos and Paulino Fernandez Jr. - are also facing charges for violation of RA 3019.
Pangilinan, Dador, Hari and Santidad were found administratively liable for grave misconduct.
The four BuCor executives were ordered dismissed from service with perpetual disqualification from reemployment in government service.
"Ombudsman investigation found that in 2012, respondents divided and split into four contracts, the project for the construction of the National Bilibid Prison building for the purpose of evading the requirement of public bidding," the Office of the Ombudsman said.
The infrastructure project worth P1.4 million was awarded through small value procurement to preferred suppliers, the Office of the Ombudsman said.
The Office of the Ombudsman also found that the BuCor officials spent P2.3million for food, giant tarpaulins and tents by resorting to emergency purchase.
The Ombudsman held that "there was no compelling reason to dispense with competitive bidding nor resort to small value procurement."
"There is no evidence that BuCor attempted to ensure the most advantageous price for the government," Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said.
Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed 12 top officials from three government-owned corporations for involvement in the malversation of the Priority Development Assistance Fund of former Benguet Rep. Samuel Dangwa.
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