CoA seeks criminal probe on Nueva Vizcaya solon

The Commission on Audit has recommended that the Ombudsman investigate Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Luisa Cuaresma and five others over the 2010 purchase of P4.81-million hospital equipment without bidding.

COA Chair Michael Aguinaldo and Commissioners Jose Fabia and Isabel Agito have directed its Prosecution and Litigation Office to forward the case to the Ombudsman for investigation and possible filing of charges “if warranted against the persons liable for the transaction.”

In a recent decision, the COA reinstated the April 10, 2011 notice of disallowance—a reimbursement order—issued on the payment of several equipment for the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital. The COA main office disapproved the June 4, 2012 decision of its regional office in Cagayan Valley th

at granted the provincial officials’ appeal of the notice of disallowance.  According to the decision, the April 23, 2010 purchase of equipment from Medisafe Philippines Inc. did not go through public bidding in violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act.  TVJ