Former SPDA head, 7 others linked to P29-M ghost delivery

DAVAO CITY — The Office of the Ombudsman has found a former administrator and seven other officials of the Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) guilty of gross neglect of duty and grave misconduct for the alleged ghost delivery of farm equipment worth at least P28.8 million three years ago.

Citing findings of the Commission on Audit, Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo said there were irregularities in the bidding for the farm equipment, including the awarding of the supply contract to a financially incapable group.

Marcelo added that the SPDA paid P28.8 million for undelivered equipment, including five tractors worth P13,387,500.

There was also alleged overpricing of at least P7,108,500 in the bidding of 10 other tractors and 10 power millers and rice millers.

With these findings, Marcelo ordered the eight officials, mostly members of the SPDA’s pre-qualifications, bids and awards committee (PBAC) and technical panel in 2000, dismissed from the government, if they are still in active service.

They are former SPDA administrator Ali Mindalano, deputy administrator Esa Bayani, legal officer II Tomas Ballesteros, acting administrative department chief Sultan Dickah Manalundong, operations and planning division chief Rodolfo de Asis Sudario, general services division head James Cautivar, supply officer II Reynaldo Tech, and acting accounting division chief Charlene Damuy.