MCIAA officers face anti-graft charges

CEBU, Philippines - Officers of the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority will face criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of a project.

This was after graft investigator Rosanna Ortiz recommended that the final evaluation report against the officers be upgraded into a criminal case for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act and the procurement law and an administrative case for dishonesty.

The MCIAA officers are assistant general manager chairman Romeo Bersonda, Security Services Department head Alvarro Derramas, principal engineer Eduardo Ginete, Finance Department OIC Catherine Sepulveda, Accounting Division OIC Grace del Bando, SOCOR Construction Corp. managing director Fortunato Sanchez Jr. and former general manager Danilo Francia.

The complainant of the case was Crisologo Saavedra who asked the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas to investigate alleged irregularities in the asphalting of the overlay of the taxi stand and entrance to the VIP Lounge of the MCIA.

Saavedra claimed the project was overpriced, implemented without public bidding and awarded to a favored contractor.

Ortiz then sent a letter to the Commission on Audit-7 requesting an investigation.

In the report submitted by COA it was found out the project was found to be in accordance with the program of works and the contract price P64,960.71 was found to be reasonable.

However, Ortiz found that there was an irregularity made by the MCIAA and the contractor who entered into a negotiation without a public bidding.

“The expense was irregular because the decision to enter into a negotiated contract was not supported by a recommendation from the Bids and Awards Committee as required under Sec. 121 Rule 5 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Ortiz said there was a budget given to the MCIAA for the construction of the VIP Lounge but not the asphalting overlay of the taxi stand and entrance to the VIP Lounge.   - (THE FREEMAN)