The Court of Appeals. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Court of Appeals granted the appeal of a police officer implicated in the questionable purchase of helicopters by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a 35 page decision written by Associate Justice Magdangal De Leon, the appeals court exonerated Chief Superintendent Luis Saligumba who was among the PNP officials dismissed from service by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.
The Ombudsman ordered the dismissal saying the PNP officers including Saligumba after they were found guilty for serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service.
The Ombudsman said the officers participated in the whole procurement process which makes it impossible for private supplier to be able to receive them without their cooperation.
After dismissing his motion for reconsideration, Saligumba took the case to the appeals court which ruled that Saligumba has no technical or working knowledge about helicopters and has to rely on reports of the technical inspection team.
“When those who are more knowledgeable regarding the helicopters delivered recommended its approval and in believing that the composite technical inspection team acted in good faith and that official duty has been regularly performed, both of which are presumed,” the appeals court said.
“Declaring that the helicopters delivered were configured for police operation purposes, petitioner had no other recourse but to accord respect to the recommendation of those whom he believed to be in a better position to assess the situation,” it added.
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.
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