Ombudsman upholds graft charges vs ex-DA undersecretary

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) affirmed its decision to file graft charges against former Department of Agriculture (DA) Undersecretary for Fisheries Eduardo Gongona.

In a 13-page order dated July 8, the OMB denied Gongona’s motions for partial reconsideration, which sought to overturn a previous resolution that charged him with two counts of violating Section 3(e), one count of Section 3(g), and one count of Section 3(j) of Republic Act (RA) 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The charges stem from his involvement in the controversial P2.1-billion deal with the foreign firm SRT-France for the government’s vessel monitoring system (VMS).

READ: Ombudsman orders graft raps vs ex-BFAR execs in P2.1-B VMS bidding

In his motion, Gongona argued that he had “no knowledge of the ineligibility of SRT-France and that he merely relied on the evaluation and resolution of the BAC (Bids and Awards Committee) and the TWG (Technical Working Group) endorsing the competence of SRT-France as a qualified bidder.”

However, the OMB rejected the appeal, resolving that Gongona’s motion “lacks basis.”

The OMB cited evidence contradicting Gongona’s claims, specifically his own counter-affidavit, which showed that he was aware of potential defects in the eligibility of SRT-France as early as the bidding stage.

It also pointed out that “he was the one who signed the Notices of Award to SRT-France and SRT-UK.”

“Succinctly, respondent-movant did not introduce any newly discovered evidence that would materially affect the assailed findings of this office; neither was he able to show any errors of law or irregularities committed therein that would warrant its reversal,” the order read.

“The arguments he has put forth have either been already considered or passed upon in the assailed Resolution, or better ventilated during trial proper than at the preliminary investigation level,” it added.