Former DepEd official found guilty of graft

MANILA, Philippines — Former Department of Education (DepEd) Region 9 Director Walter Albos has been found guilty of graft for his alleged involvement in the irregular procurement of information technology (IT) equipment in 2008.

In a 21-page decision, the Sandiganbayan Third Division sentenced him to a prison term of six years and one month as minimum, and eight years as maximum.

Albos was also perpetually disqualified from holding public office. The case stemmed from Albos’ decision to award a P2.998-million contract to private supplier Davenport without public bidding and approval of the DepEd’s regional Bids and Awards Committee (BAC).

“Accused Albos cannot now feign ignorance of the fact that the BAC never conducted a public bidding and that the subject IT equipment were directly procured from Davenport, as he himself allowed the award of the contract and the eventual payment to the said supplier,” the court said in its decision.

In addition to his prison term, Albos was also ordered to pay the cost of the IT equipment. —Patricia Denise M. Chiu