TESDA exec bought supplies from sis’ firm

The director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Cavite is now facing graft charges in the Sandiganbayan for allegedly approving the agency’s purchase of office supplies from a company owned by her sister.

Felicidad Brillo Zurbano was accused of having indirect financial interest in the contracts with CDZ Enterprises, owned by her sister Nieves Brillo Cabigan, for the procurement of office and technical supplies from March to October 2003.

Gaudencio Rafael Mañalac, a prosecutor of the Office of the Ombudsman, recommended a bail of P260,000 for Zurbano’s temporary liberty.

Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Victor Fernandez approved the filing of the graft case against Zurbano.

According to Mañalac, Zurbano violated Section 3(h) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits government officials and employees from having any direct or indirect "financial or pecuniary interest in any business contract in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity."

Zurbano was charged after three of her subordinates filed complaints against her in the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complainants alleged that nearly all of their office and technical supplies were sourced from CDZ Enterprises upon Zurbano’s orders.

They added that although the items supplied by CDZ were priced low, some of the items such as the printer inks failed to meet the agency’s standards.

In her counter-affidavit, Zurbano said the purchase of office supplies from CDZ Enterprises followed proper procedures and that all the items were fully inspected and delivered.

She added that CDZ Enterprises was not her company.

Investigators of the Office of the Ombudsman, however, said that while the items bought from CDZ were in good condition, there was bad faith on Zurbano’s part when she approved the transactions despite knowing that her sister would benefit from them.