Suspend fire chief, Ombudsman asked

MANILA, Philippines – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales was asked yesterday to suspend acting Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) chief Superintendent Samuel Perez, who has been charged with graft for refusing to award a government contract to a winning bidder.

Kolonwel Trading, which filed a 22-page complaint against the BFP official last week, said Morales should order the respondent to go on leave while the investigation is ongoing.

The complaint against Perez stemmed from allegations that he blocked the awarding of the P243-million Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contract to a winning bidder last month. The contract was approved by Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo and three different bids and awards committees.

 Records show that the bidding for the PPE contract was held on Oct. 27, 2010, during which Kolonwel, in joint venture with In Seung Apparel Co. Ltd., won.

However, Perez recalled the endorsement of Kolonwel when he assumed his post last Oct. 19. He cited letters purportedly sent by the losing bidders accusing Kolonwel of submitting falsified documents and claiming that the company had pending tax issues. 

The complainant said they learned only last Jan. 2 that the BFP official declared a failure of bidding last Dec. 28.

Kolonwel, represented by sales manager Peter Go Cheng, said Perez’s “malicious and unlawful acts” violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Procurement Law.

The complainant added that they were not given the opportunity to answer the allegations against them by the losing bidders.

Kolonwel said the complaints by the losing bidders were also made beyond the seven-day period allowed to file the same from the time of the bidding was opened.