Ex Davao Oriental execs face graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of criminal charges against local government officials of Davao Oriental for the alleged anomalous purchase of heavy equipment worth P15 million in 2005. 

 

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales found sufficient ground to charge with graft former Boston mayor Ramie Rosit; municipal vice-mayor Amie Monredondo; councilors Judith Castres, Luisa Alac, Juvenil Linaza, Wilfredo Jubac, Levira Lintogonan, Norberto Dumaguete, Allen De Jesus, and Marcial Plaza; Association of Barangay Councils president Nilo Rosit; and Sangguniaang Kabataan Municipal Federation President Sotelo Vincent Cabrera.

 

Based on the report of the Commission on Audit (COA), the municipality of Boston entered into a P15 million loan agreement with the Philippine National Bank for the purchase of heavy equipment consisting of a motor grader and wheel loader.   

 

The COA found that no public bidding was conducted for the procurement of the heavy equipment.

 

It also discovered that the local officials resorted to direct contracting without ascertaining that there were no sub-dealers selling at lower prices and no suitable substitute can be obtained at more advantageous terms to the government.

 

The criminal case against Plaza was dismissed in view of his death in May 2009.