SC affirms sacking of PNP official over chopper purchase

Former Police Director Herold Ubalde. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal from the government of a former senior Philippine National Police official for his role in the questionable purchase of two refurbished helicopters worth P105 million during the Arroyo administration.

In a 21-page ruling, the tribunal’s Third Division sided with then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in holding former Police Director Herold Ubalde, then the PNP Legal Services chief, administratively liable for approving the procurement of the two second-hand helicopters for the PNP Special Action Force.

Interestingly, the high court recently absolved former First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, one of the central figures in the corruption scandal, from the graft case involving the procurement deal.

Not brand new

In 2011, Sen. Panfilo Lacson delivered a privilege speech claiming that two of the three helicopters that the PNP bought from Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. (Maptra) were not brand new as they were made to appear in the contract and were previously owned by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband.

In upholding Morales’ May 30, 2012 decision, the high court said there was “substantial evidence” to prove that Ubalde was guilty of grave misconduct in approving the procurement project as a member of the PNP bids and awards committee (BAC).

Rules disregarded

“In the present case, Ubalde … disregarded the established rules on negotiated procurement when the [BAC] failed to determine the true eligibility and qualification of Maptra to supply the [helicopters] to the PNP,” the court said in its March 28 decision, which was made public only on Thursday.

“He violated several provisions of [the antigraft law] … when he relegated his function as a mere approving authority … and grossly failed to abide by his duty to ensure that the criteria and standards laid down by law were met,” it added.

The ruling was penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, who dissented from the decision of the high tribunal’s Special Third Division that favored Arroyo.

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