BuCor chief ordered to answer raps

MANILA, Philippines - Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Gaudencio Pangilinan appeared yesterday before a closed-door hearing of the Department of Justice (DOJ) panel investigating alleged anomalies at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Pangilinan refused to talk to the media but it was learned that the DOJ panel ordered him to submit an answer to the complaint filed by Kabungsuan Yadao Makilala, former assistant head of the bureau’s bids and awards committee, who was transferred by Pangilinan to the Davao penal colony last year.

BuCor spokesman Richard Schwarzkopf said they would deny the charges.

Schwarzkopf said there was no violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act in the P1.42-million contract for the renovation of the NBP administration building.

“The contract is legitimate. We will answer them at the right time,” he said in an ambush interview.

Schwarzkopf also denied allegations of anomalies in BuCor’s spending of close to P2 million for the visit of President Aquino at the NBP last Jan. 27.

“This is aboveboard,” he said, citing reports denying the authenticity of receipts showing that BuCor spent over P576,000 for the printing of tarpaulin banners and P203,700 to rent the carpet used at the event. Documents also showed BuCor paid P450,000 for the rental of an air-conditioned tent and P221,000 for meals.

Hours before the hearing, a certain Gloria Adriano filed a complaint for serious illegal detention against Makilala with the DOJ.

“It is already expected that they will resort to those kind of move to destroy my credibility. I am sticking to issues of irregularity and anomalous activity which acting director Pangilinan committed,” Makilala told reporters in a separate interview.

In a complaint filed last Feb.20, Makilala accused the BuCor chief of implementing “chop-chop” procurement projects; the cutting of some 50 historical trees at the NBP; the transfer of 52 inmates from the NBP Compound to Camp General Capinpin, Rizal and Dasmariñas, Cavite last Jan. 19 and Feb. 9; and  usurpation of authority when he appointed Romeo Fajardo as assistant director for operations in September last year.

Makilala also alleged Pangilinan had approved a P16-million contract agreement to cater food for inmates at the Reception and Diagnostic Center and Muntinlupa Juvenile Therapeutic Center inside NBP’s minimum security compound. The contract was allegedly without the approval of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.

Through his chief-of-staff Venancio Santidad, Pangilinan allegedly issued a Notice to Proceed for Meyer’s Foods and Services Inc. last Feb. 10 for a 10-day menu cycle for 1,949 inmates.

Makilala said the approval of De Lima was necessary because the DOJ exercises direct supervision over the BuCor.

The complainant also accused the BuCor director of violating RA 9184 by breaking the P1.42-million NBP renovation project into four purchase orders allegedly to avoid public bidding.