Ombudsman to file graft raps vs Aurora governor

The Ombudsman has found sufficient basis to order the filing of graft charges against Aurora Gov. Gerardo Noveras and seven others in the alleged “rigged bidding” of two road projects in 2014.

In a 15-page resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said that the provincial government awarded the road projects to RMCR Construction even before the procurement process was conducted.

The resolution noted that the notices to proceed were issued for the repair of the Casiguran-Dilasag Provincial Road and the Dimalang Bridge Approach on Aug. 15, 2014.

But only three days later, the projects were already reported to be 100-percent complete.

The resolution noted that RMCR Construction owner Manding Claro Ramos himself admitted in his sworn statement that the project had commenced in July 2014, a month before the firm was declared the winning bidder on Aug. 8, 2014. —Vince F. Nonato