Ecija gov, lawmaker-wife face graft raps over vehicle purchase

CABANATUAN CITY – Nueva Ecija Gov. Aurelio Umali and his wife, third district Rep. Czarina Umali, have been charged before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged irregularities in the purchase of vehicles and the  alleged illegal hiring of an information and a provincial consultant.

Charges of gross violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Local Government Code and the Administrative Code were filed against the Umali couple by Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson.

The graft case stemmed from the purchase of 93 units of multi-cab which were financed by the congresswoman’s countrywide development funds (CDF) which were distributed to the barangays.

Joson, presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said the provincial government paid P176,200 for each of the vehicles. But Joson said that the supplier, HCK Motors reported that each vehicle was worth only P135,000 with free registration.

Umali got back at Joson, saying there was no overprice in the purchase of 93 units of multi-cabs by the provincial government. He said the vice governor’s claims were mere political stunt intended to derail the Umali administration’s thrusts of effecting changes in Nueva Ecija.

He said the filing of the charges against him was to detract attention away from the earlier graft charges the provincial government filed before the Ombudsman against the Josons over the questionable donation of 25 heavy equipment and several luxury vehicles owned by the provincial government to their allies.

The governor said the basis of Joson in claiming that the project was overpriced does not have a leg to stand on since the Commission on Audit has yet to release a report on this particular transaction.           

He said the past administration purchased practically a similar version of multi-cabs during their term which amounted to P160,000 per unit which paled in comparison to the latest purchases.

Umali said the Josons continuously harass him by not acting on vital legislative measures at SP.

Joson also filed with the Ombudsman violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act over the appointment of one of his allies Ed Rillon as provincial information officer, which the Civil Service Commission rejected for alleged lack of eligibility. Rillon is said to be still receiving his salary. 

The other graft case involved the appointments of Provincial Administrator  Alejandro Abesamis, and Ferdinand Abesamis as legal consultant which Joson pointed out was a violation of the Local Government Code as the lawyer had been dismissed from government service during the time of former President Joseph Estrada.