Graft raps vs Verzosa affirmed

MANILA, Philippines - Junking motions for reconsideration filed by the accused, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has affirmed her decision to indict former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa and seven other police officials for graft before the Sandiganbayan.

In a 34-page order released yesterday, she denied the appeals filed by Verzosa and other ranking officials who are now also going to face trial for their alleged involvement in the anomalous purchase of 75 defective rubber boats for the PNP Maritime Group worth P131.5 million.

Morales said Verzosa, Deputy Directors General Jefferson Soriano, Benjamin Belarmino Jr., and Ronald Roderos; Directors Luizo Ticman and Romeo Hilomen; and Chief Superintendents Herold Ubalde and Villamor Bumanglag should be criminally charged before the Sandiganbayan.

Verzosa and the seven other police officials were indicted for the rubber boat anomaly in September 2012.

All the respondents except Roderos filed separate motions for reconsideration asking for a reversal of the finding of probable cause against them.

Morales said the arguments presented by Verzosa and the other respondents in their motions for reconsideration “are a mere rehash of their initial arguments set forth in their counter-affidavits which we already considered, weighed and resolved before we rendered the resolution sought to be considered.”

The case stemmed from the complaint and supplemental complaint dated Nov. 15, 2011 and Feb. 17, 2012, respectively, filed by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (OMB-MOLEO).

Records showed that the PNP entered into four separate supply contracts all dated Dec. 18, 2009 with the following suppliers:  Enviroaire for the supply of 93 units of outboard motors (OBMs) with a total contract price of P44,175,000; Enviroaire for the supply of 10 units of police rubber boats (PRBs) worth P11,650,000; Geneve for the supply of 41 PRBs worth P47,765,000; and Bay Industrial for the supply of 10 PRBs worth P11,650,000.