MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of graft charges against town officials in Misamis Occidental in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of fertilizer worth P1 million in 2005.
Facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan are former Lopez Jaena Mayor Zenaida Azcuna, and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) members Marietes Bonalos, Aurora Alon, Marcial Lamoste, Homer Lariba and Alicia Penales.
A private respondent, supplier Alberto Aquino of Malayan Pacific Trading Corporation (MPTC), is also slapped with the graft charge.
Records showed that in January 2005, the Lopez Jaena municipality got funds amounting to P1 million from the Department of Agriculture-Region X for the purchase of inorganic liquid fertilizer.
Regional office of the Commission on Audit discovered that the local officials committed numerous violations of the Government Procurement Reform Act, including reference to specific brand names, lack of public bidding and resort to direct contracting without complying with the requirements of the procurement law.
The audit also found out the fertilizer was overpriced by as much as P1,375 per liter, and lack of warranties by the supplier.
The resolution also noted that the project was endorsed to the BAC by Azcuna’s husband, then vice-mayor Melquides Azcuna.
"The BAC had ample time to do all what was needed to protect the interest of the LGU (local government unit), as the procurement was not urgent in nature...it did not examine the product of MPTC through an independent and reliable chemist to verify the certification of MPTC," the Ombudsman said.
The complaint as against Municipal Accountant Juren Magamay was dismissed for lack of evidence.