Ombudsman orders probe on P4M PNP ghost repairs of 28 armored vehicles

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. SENATE POOL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered the conduct of formal investigation and administrative proceedings against former Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Avelino Razon, Jr., other PNP officials and private individuals in connection with the alleged “ghost repairs” of twenty-eight (28) V-150 Light Armored Vehicles in 2007 worth more than P400 Million.

Morales ordered the formal inquiry for possible violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 7080 (Plunder law), RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), Malversation thru Falsification of Public Documents (Revised Penal Code) against Razon, former Program Directive Development Group head Reynaldo Varilla;

Provincial Director Charlemagne Alejandrino, former Chief Superintendents Ray Roderos, Mario San Diego, Teodorico Lapuz, Senior Superintendents Emmanuel Ojeda, Reuel Leverne Labrado, Chief Inspector Analee Forro, Superintendents Edgar Paatan, Henry Duque, Senior Police Officer4 Victor Puddao, Supt. Josefina Dumanew, Senior Superintendent Victor Agarcio, Supt. Warlito Tubon, SPO4 Alfredo Laviña, NUP Eulito Fuentes, former PDir. Geary Barias;

Former PDir. Eliseo Dela Paz, PSSupt. Rainier Espina, NUP Alex Barrameda, NUP Patricia Enaje, NUP Maria Teresa Narcise, NUP Nancy Basallo, PNP Accounting Division Chief Antonio Retrato, PNP Resident COA Supervising Auditor Jaime Serrano, Technical Audit Specialist Amor Quiambao, and 12 private individuals who acted as  suppliers/bidders.

In the same affidavit complaint, the incumbent public officials and employees were likewise charged with grave misconduct and serious dishonesty.

The Fact Finding Investigation Bureau alleges, among others, that there were (i) “ghost delivery” of engines and transmissions (ii) no records of waste materials to indicate that the engines and parts have been actually replaced, (iii) irregularities in the whole procurement process, such as the lack of bidding documents to possible bidders, lack of pre-procurement conference, lack of pre-bid conference, and lack of post-qualification.

The panel of investigators that will handle the case are acting director Manuel Soriano, Jr., Atty. Julita Calderon, Atty. Maria Theresa Lee-Rafols, Atty. Emerita Francia and Atty. Myla Teona Teologio they have 45 days to finish the investigation.