Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has approved the filing of
charges for graft and malversation against former Regional Gov. Nur Misuari of
the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) for the alleged anomalous
procurement of educational materials totaling PHP137.5 million undertaken in
2000 to 2001.
Misuari is facing three counts of malversation of public
funds through falsification and three counts of violation of Section 3(e) of
Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” before
the Sandiganbayan.
Based on the findings of the Commission on Audit (COA), it
was found that the payment to five suppliers of textbooks and educational
materials totaling PHP137,511,108.14 were irregular and made without public
bidding.
Probe showed that Misuari approved the payment of the
following educational materials:
-- Various educational materials worth PHP37,959,204 to
White Orchids Printing and Publishing House;
-- 170 sets of multi-media information technology package
worth PHP46,261,250 to CPR Publishing House of Caloocan City;
-- 6,000 copies of Demokrasyang Pambarangay; 22,000 copies
of Malakas ang Batang Pilipino; 5,000 copies of Fight Drug Dependency; and
8,500 copies of multi-color coated map of the Philippines worth PHP12,030,000
to Esteem Enterprises of Quezon City;
-- 6,857 sets of Easy Learn Day Care Chart with Teacher’s
Guide book and 25,238 copies of Easy Learn Day Care Workbook worth
PHP21,999,848 to Dunong Publishing of Parañaque City; and
-- 124 sets of information technology package for elementary
and high school students worth PHP19,260,806.14 to MBJ Learning Tools of
Caloocan City.
Flagrant red flags were noted in the procurement such as
lack of public bidding; undated and unnumbered procurement documents; absence
of contracts; inventory and distribution lists; undue haste in the purchase of
goods showing the rigged bidding; and non-compliance with eligibility
requirements by the suppliers.
Ombudsman Morales said that “the Office finds probable cause
that Misuari [and respondents] conspired with one another while discharging
their official functions, [acting] with manifest partiality, evident bad faith
or gross inexcusable negligence when they conspired to rig the procurement.”
Also included as co-accused are former DepEd ARMM executives
Director Leovigilda Cinches, Supply Officer Sittie Aisa Usman, Accountant
Alladin Usi, Chief Accountant Pangalian Maniri, Education Program Specialist
Bai Sherilyn Mustapha, COA Auditor Nader Macagaan. The Ombudsman also ordered
the filing of charges against suppliers Lolita Sambeli of White Orchids,
Cristeta Ramirez of CPR Publishing, Mario Barria of Esteem Enterprises and Ma. Lourdes Mendoza
However, the charges against former Undersecretary Abdurajul
Alpha and Regional Secretary Mahid Mutilan were dismissed in view of their
death prior to the filing of the complaint.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=926874
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