Commission on Audit (File photo from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The Commission on Audit (COA) has affirmed the disallowance of P399.06 million spent in the anomalous purchase by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of spare parts and services for the repair of 18 V-150 light armored vehicles (LAVs).
In a recently-released six-page decision dated July 12, COA denied the petition of Supt. Rainier A. Espina, the former acting chief of the PNP Office of the Directorate for Comptrollership-Management Division, appealing the COA Fraud Audit Office’s Sept. 10, 2013 ruling that affirmed two notices of disallowance dated Oct. 18, 2012.
COA also directed its Prosecution and Litigation Office to forward the records to the Office of the Ombudsman for criminal proceedings against the persons liable for the transactions.
The first notice of disallowance covered the purchase of 20 tires worth P1.47 million, which did not comply with the specified brand of Michelin 14.00 R20 XML for on-road use. Instead, the delivered tires Michelin 14.00 R20 XZL and Petlas (PM 40) #20, which are both for off-road use.
The second notice of disallowance for P397.59 million concerned the contract for spare parts, accessories and service costs for the LAVs which did not go through public bidding and was awarded to “legally, technically and financially incapacitated contractors.”
CoA also flagged a total of P83.9 million for ghost deliveries and services concerning the replacement of engine and transmission for the LAVs. Meanwhile, the payment for labor services for the replacement of fuel, cooling, suspension, brake, hydraulic, electrical and weapons systems was found to be excessive by P66.57 million.
Besides Espina, COA also held liable the following:
- retired Director General Avelino Razon, former PNP chief
- Supt. Teodorico Lapuz IV, acting director of the PNP Logistics Support Service (LSS)
- Senior Supt. Emanuel Ojeda, Bids and Awards Committee chairman
- Senior Supt. Reuel Labrado, LSS chairman
- Senior Supt. Victor Puddao, BAC vice chairman
- Chief Insp. Annalee Forro, BAC member
- Supt. Edgar Pataan, BAC member
- Supt. Josefina Dumanew, purchasing officer
- Senior Supt. Victor Agarcio, chief of the PNP-LSS Transportation and Maintenance Division
Also held liable were the contractors RJP International Construction and General Services, Enviro-Aire Inc, and Evans Spare Parts Motor Works RPR and Trading.
COA noted that the PNP officials approved the inspection and acceptance reports despite the various discrepancies hounding the repair of the LAVs.
While Espina said he complied with standard operating procedures, COA said he should have determined if there were any defects or deficiencies in the deliveries. /atm