AFP Medical Center chief Brig. Gen. Normando Sta. Ana Jr. with visiting American officers. (photo from http://usarmy.vo.llnwd.net/)
Armed Forces chief of staff General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. has ordered the relief of the commander of the AFP Medical Center over the alleged procurement of P80 million worth of medical supplies without the required public bidding.
"It's confirmed," AFP public affairs chief Liuetenant Colonel Harold Cabunoc told InterAksyon.com about the relief of Brigadier General Normando T. Sta. Ana Jr. although he did not elabroate, saying he has yet to receive more instructions from Catapang on the matter.
Normando is reportedly an adopted member of the Philippine Military Academy "Dimalupig" Class 1981, of which Catapang is a member.
There is talk that Colonel Joseph Acosta, chief of the AFP Medical Corps, is being eyed to replace Sta. Ana.
Also set to be relieved are special disbursing officer Lieutenant Colonel Florencio Ritchie I. Capulong, Management and Fiscal Office chief Major Neil D. Bugarin, and acting ACS for Logistics Colonel Rogelio S. Del Rio, who were also implicated in the procurement mess.
The complaint against Sta. Ana and the other officers was filed by a certain Renato Villafuerte before Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. A copy of the complaint was obtained by InterAksyon.com.
But it has been learned that the AFP headquarters has been undertaking a "parallel investigation" for more than two weeks now, although the composition of the probe body remains under wraps.
In his complaint, Villafuerte asked Morales to investigate Sta. Ana and the other repsondents for alleged malversation of funds in violation of Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act of 2003.
InterAksyon.com sent repeated requests to the AFPMC Public Affairs Office for the side of Sta. Ana and the other respondents but has received no reply so far.
In his complaint, Villafuerte said the respondents allegedly circumvented Rule XVI of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 9184, Section 48.2, which requires public bidding as a mode of procurement including "highly exceptional cases."
He said the respondents may also have violated Rule II, Sec. 7.1, which requires that "procurement should be within the appproved budget of he procuring entity."
He alleged that Capulong, with the approval of Sta. Ana, purchased the medicines and medical supplies from "favored suppliers" without bidding.
Aside from this, they also allegedly "requested realignment of funds amounting to (P)40 million to support the cash advance of Ltc Florencio Capulong," Villafuerte said.
"They also procure(d) medicines even without funds and procured on account. Millions na po ang utang nila kaya pagdating ng pondo ay halos ipangbayad na lang (Their debt runs to millions so when funds come these are almost all paid) through Cash Advance of Ltc Florencio Capulong," he added.
Villafuerte said the officers "have committed grave abuse of authority prejudicial to the interest of the government and also failed to adhere on the principle of transparency."
http://www.interaksyon.com/article/97243/afp-medical-center-chief-ordered-relieved-over-p80-m-procurement-mess
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