Cops in helicopter procurement anomaly lose appeal

MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Ombudsman denied the appeal filed by police officials and personnel to reverse its earlier ruling finding them liable for their alleged involvement in the questionable procurement of helicopters.

In a 49-page Order signed on 19 November 2012, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales denied for lack of merit the Motions for Reconsideration filed by Police Director Leocadio Salva Cruz Santiago, Jr., Police Superintendents Ermilando Villafuerte, Roman E. Loreto, Chief Superintendents Herold G. Ubalde, Luis L. Saligumba, Senior Superintendent Job Nolan D. Antonio, Director George Q. Piano, Senior Superintendent Edgar B. Paatan, P/SSupt. Mansue N. Lukban, Chief Inspector Maria Josefina Vidal Recometa, P/SSupt. Claudio DS Gaspar Jr., Senior Police Officer 3 Ma. Linda A. Padojinog, PO3 Avensuel G. Dy, and NUP Ruben S. Gongona, who were meted the penalty of dismissal from the service.

Morales also denied the appeal filed by P/SSupt. Joel Crisostomo DL Garcia, SPO3 Jorge B. Gabiana, PO3 Dionisio Jimenez, NUPs Erwin O. Chavarria, Emilia A. Aliling, and Erwin Paul Maranan who were meted the penalty of suspension from the service for six months without pay.

Morales said the police officers and employees failed to present new evidence that would warrant a reversal of their previous decision.

“They likewise failed to show that grave errors of facts or laws or serious irregularities have been committed by this Office prejudicial to their interest,” Morales said in her ruling.

The Ombudsman reiterated its findings in the Joint Resolution dated May 30, 2012 that the said PNP officers participated in the whole procurement process, which makes it impossible for private supplier Hilario B. de Vera or Maptra Sole Proprietorship to be able to deceive them without their cooperation.

The case stemmed from the PNP’s questionable purchase from Maptra of a fully equipped Robinson R44 Raven II Light Police Operational Helicopter (LPOH) for P42,312,913.10 and two standard Robinson R44 Raven I LPOHs for P62,672,086.90, or for a total amount of P104,985,000 from 2009 to 2010.

The Ombudsman investigators discovered that MAPTRA has no technical and financial eligibility required by law. The Ombudsman also discovered that Maptra delivered only one brand new Robinson Raven II LPOH while the two delivered Robinson Raven I LPOHs were actually pre-owned by the former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Aside from the administrative sanctions, criminal cases were also filed against the said officers and personnel before the Sandiganbayan.