NPO mess: 2 execs offer to ‘tell all’

MANILA, Philippines—Two officials of the National Printing Office (NPO) have offered to “tell all” on unlawful activities of top-ranking officials in the agency in exchange for their immunity from suit.

The two officials, Federico Ramos Jr. and Florencia Reyes, were among the NPO personnel whom the Office of the Ombudsman earlier ordered dismissed following a complaint that they were involved in the irregular bidding for accountable forms in September 2008.

Also ordered dismissed were then Bids and Awards Committee chair Miguel Arcadio; BAC Vice Chair Eddie Vista; BAC secretariat head Sol Tamayo; and BAC members Elsa Calma, Ma. Paz Palamos and Ernesto Plarisan. Ramos and Reyes were also BAC members.

The dismissal is on appeal. The officials have denied involvement in any wrongdoing and have filed an appeal for reconsideration.

The Office of the Ombudsman had cleared then NPO Director Enrique Agana and legal consultant Phio Viovicente of any liability in the same case.

In their manifestation and application for immunity from prosecution, Ramos and Reyes said that their high-ranking colleagues only “forced them” to participate in the questioned bidding.

“Both respondents are unwilling participants who were coerced by NPO officials and their peers on threat of being administratively sanctioned, and forced to execute the unlawful acts which undersigned respondents are now charged,” they said.

They argued that they could be considered the least guilty because all the other respondents in the case have higher ranks.

Ramos and Reyes contended that Arcadio and Vista should be among those considered the most guilty, since they allegedly instructed them (Ramos and Reyes) to commit illegal acts despite their resistance. Sol Tamayo who allegedly committed acts of falsification without their knowledge and consent, should also be considered among the most guilty, they added.