Ex-Iloilo governor indicted for graft

MANILA, Philippines - Graft charges were ordered filed yesterday against former Iloilo governor Niel Tupas Sr. in connection with an overpayment for unconsumed electricity of the province in 2009 and 2010. 

Aside from Tupas, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the indictment of provincial accountant Lyd Tupas, assistant department head Sandra Bionat, and general services department head Ramie Salcedo for their alleged role in the questionable transaction.

 Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said the charges stemmed from an overpayment of P4 million to Green Core Geothermal Inc. (Green Core).

Records showed that on Sept. 26, 2007, Tupas entered into a contract with the National Power Corp. (Napocor) for the supply of electricity from September 2007 to December 2011.

The contract was later assumed by Napocor’s successor, Green Core.

Anticipating the completion of the construction of the Iloilo Multi-Purpose Convention Center, the contract allowed an increase in the energy supply from 185,000 kilowatt-hour to 400,000 kwh per month.  

Due to the non-construction of the convention center in 2009, Tupas requested for an adjustment and reduction of the power supply from 400,000 kwh to 17,000 kwh per month.

Green Core applied the adjustment but only for the period covering June 26, 2010 to Dec. 25, 2011. 

The ombudsman said Green Core was paid the amount representing the contracted energy of one million kwh although the actual energy consumption of the province was only 515 kwh.   

Investigation showed a total of P5.88 million was paid to Green Core although the actual consumption of the province was only P1.88 million, or an overpayment of almost P4 million.

Morales rejected the respondents’ claims that they merely certified the disbursement papers.

Had the respondents checked the papers, they would have discovered the discrepancy, Morales said.

In a related administrative case, Tupas, Bionat and Salcedo were found guilty of neglect of duty and suspended from the service for a year.