9 former Cebu execs barred from gov’t

The Office of the Ombudsman has banned for life nine former Cebu provincial officials from joining the government service for approving the construction of the P367-million Cebu International Convention Center in 2006 without a public bidding.

Meted out with perpetual disqualification from public office were Eduardo Habin, Bernard Calderon, Marino Martinquilla, Cristina Giango, Adolfo Quiroga, Necias Vicoy Jr., Roy Salubre, Emme Gingoyon and Eulogio Pelayre, all former members of the bids and awards committee which green-lighted the infrastructure project.

The antigraft body also forfeited all their retirement benefits and annulled their civil service eligibility.

The three-story structure was built in Mandaue City when it hosted the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in December 2006 upon orders of then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said Habin and the others were found guilty of grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty when they awarded the project to WT Construction Inc. without public bidding as mandated by Republic Act No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.