Graft raps filed vs Bulacan governor, 8 others

MANILA, Philippines - Graft and administrative charges have been filed against Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and eight other provincial officials for the allegedly anomalous procurement of medicine and construction materials amounting to P1.7 billion.

The complaint also included 13 private suppliers and contractors.

The provincial officials were Jim Valario, chairman of the bids and awards committee; Jeffrey Cruz, legal officer; Marina Flores, budget officer; Eugenio Payongayong, provincial administrator; Kenneth Lantin, general services officer; Belinda Bartolome, treasurer; Glen Reyes,provincial engineer, and Carina  San Pedro-Espiritu, supply officer.

In a complaint filed last Jan. 20 before the Office of the Ombudsman, the respondents were accused of splitting the contracts in order to favor select contractors and suppliers and avoid holding a public bidding.

The complainant, Norzagaray town Councilor Jocylina Casimiro, said she based her complaint on a report of the Commission on Audit, which discovered the alleged irregularities in the transactions entered into by the provincial government from 2012 to 2014.