5 local execs barred from holding government posts

MANILA, Philippines -  The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed five former and incumbent local government officials of a town in Tarlac over alleged anomalies surrounding the award of a memorial park project.

Former Mayantoc mayor Tito Razalan, municipal engineer Rodolfo Corpuz as well as incumbent treasurer Nilda Salazar, budget officer Florence Bueno and administrative officer Marilene Bedania were found guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty, according to a consolidated decision recently signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

The ombudsman also ordered the perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of  retirement benefits and cancellation of civil service eligibility of the respondents.

Since Razalan and Corpuz are no longer in office, their dismissal is convertible to a fine equivalent to their salary for one year.

Graft probers said several irregularities such as lack of a pre-procurement conference, non-posting of the invitations to bid and observers to join the bidding process as well as underpayment of warranty securities marred the award of the project to JQG Construction in 2009.

The ombudsman said a total of P23,048,230.15 was paid to JQG even though the project was incomplete and non-operational. The payment was also made without a certification of the municipal accountant, the court said.