Ex-Bucor chief, 2 others face multiple criminal charges

MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday directed the filing of multiple criminal charges against former Bureau of Corrections (Bucor) director Gaudencio Pangilinan and two other officials before the Sandiganbayan.

The ombudsman recommended the filing of graft against Pangilinan, chief administrative officer Ligaya Dador and administrative officer Larry Hari for their alleged involvement in the splitting of contracts for a building project in order to avoid public bidding in 2012.

Pangilinan and Dador will face five counts of graft.

Pangilinan and Hari, on the other hand, will face a separate charge for violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Also facing charges for graft are former chief of staff Venancio Santidad and the representatives of suppliers Grand Potential Press Inc. and Dotgain Solutions identified as Alman Madrid, Lawrence Balolong, Julita Balolong, Alex del Rosario, Alicia Madrid, Nelson Lee Cheng, Gina Rabancos and Paulino Fernandez Jr.

Pangilinan, Dador, Hari and Santidad were also found administratively liable for grave misconduct and were ordered dismissed from the service with perpetual disqualification from reemployment in government service.

In case of separation from the service, which means that they are no longer working in government, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to one year’s salary.

Ombudsman investigators 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 P1.4-million infrastructure project was allegedly awarded through small value procurement, to preferred suppliers Grand Potential and Dotgain, which are engaged in the printing business.

Investigators also said that during BuCor’s road map launch, Pangilinan and the other respondents spent P2.3 million to cover expenses for food, giant tarpaulins and tents by resorting to emergency purchase.

In its consolidated rulings finding probable cause to indict the former Bucor chief and other former officials along with the private individuals, the Office of the Ombudsman held that “there was no compelling reason to dispense with competitive bidding nor resort to small value procurement.”

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said “there is no evidence that BuCor attempted to ensure the most advantageous price for the government.”

In October 2015, the Sandiganbayan convicted Santidad as former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) director on 21 counts of falsification of public documents in connection with the anomalous utilization of the pork barrel funds of the late Isabela representative Antonio Abaya for the procurement of 21 vehicles.