Cotabato ex-mayor faces raps over Salintubig anomaly

The Office of the Ombudsman (File photo by NINO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to file graft charges against the former officials of Banisilan, Cotabato over the anomalous implementation of the Aquino administration’s flagship water program.

This was the first such indictment announced by the Ombudsman media bureau in connection with the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (Salintubig) program.

The Ombudsman said there was basis to charge former Banisilan mayor Betty Allado for awarding a consultancy contract for the P7-million project without public bidding in 2012.

Allado allegedly failed to prove compliance with the requirements of the Government Procurement Reform Act in awarding the consultancy contract to JK Engineering and Design and Consultancy Services.

The Ombudsman found several bidding irregularities such as the non-posting of the bid invitation, as well as discrepancies regarding the dates of opening of bids and the bids and awards committee deliberations.

“The foregoing contradictions prove that no competitive bidding transpired in the procurement of consultancy services,” ruled the Ombudsman.

Also ordered indicted were the following bids and awards committee members: Jaime Alisasis, Ramil Jayma, Marietta Nonan, Ramon Capanang, Carmencita Bari, Andres Serue, Raymond Franco, Jornalito Allado, Hilario Cabangon.

JK Engineering manager Noel Bryan Tuling was also named a coaccused in the looming case for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits public officials from causing undue injury to the government and giving unwarranted benefits to private parties.

The Ombudsman’s findings are still subject to an appeal by way of a motion for reconsideration.