Ombudsman indicts 6 Cebu town execs for graft

Ombudsman probers found that the local executives failed to post the invitations to bid on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) from 2012 to 2013. (Photo: Office of the Ombudsman Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has found probable cause to charge six local officials of Ronda, Cebu for 15 counts of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.”

Facing trial for graft before the Sandiganbayan are Mayor Mariano Blanco III, municipal engineer Oscar Pilapil, municipal budget officer Thelma Landiza, municipal assistant treasurer Brigida Cabaron, clerk Frauline Requilme and utility worker Evelina Tan.

Ombudsman probers found that the local executives failed to post the invitations to bid on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) from 2012 to 2013.

Out of 16 procurement projects, the respondents failed to post the invitations to bid for 15 projects involving the construction of the CL School Building at Madanglog Elementary School, medicines, materials for maintenance of public buildings, materials for the completion of the Butong Health center.

Invitations to bid the construction of Langin Barangay Hall and emergency access road along Poblacion and Planas-Oval-Poblacion roads, electric supplies, materials for the construction of Butong Day Care Center and the legislative building were also not posted.

Under Section 21.2 of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of RA No. 9184, or the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, the invitation to bid is required to be posted conspicuously in the PhilGEPS website, the website of the procuring entity, if available, for seven calendar days starting on the date of advertisement.

Under Section 3(e) of RA No. 3019, public officials are prohibited from causing any undue injury to any party, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. (P