Charges recommended vs ex-PNP chief Razon, 22 others over 'anomalous' V-150 repairs

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the filing of graft and malversation charges against retired national police chief Avelino Razon Jr. and 22 other police officials for the alleged anomalous repair and maintenance of light armored vehicles in 2007.

“The government suffered injury in the amount of P409,740,000, representing the cost of the highly irregular four transactions,” the Ombudsman said in an e-mailed statement.

It said based on the investigation conducted by the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices, there was “irregularity in the bidding process, awarding of contracts and utilization of funds intended for the repair/refurbishment of 28 V-150s (light armored vehicles)” of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The results of the investigation were contained in a 108-page joint resolution where the respondents were found to have violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019), Government Procurement Reform Act (RA 9184), and Malversation through Falsification.

The Ombudsman also alleged that the respondents “circumvented” the law to take private firms Serpenair, Enviro-Aire, Evans, RJP, Dex-Lan and RKGK Enterprises as the direct suppliers.
 
Enviro-Aire Inc. was previously linked to the allegedly overpriced purchase of 75 defective rubber boats in 2008.
 
“The said companies were given unwarranted benefit, undue advantage or preference as the contracts were awarded to them despite non-compliance with law and without actual delivery of goods and services at the time of payment,” the Ombudsman said.
 
Apart from Razon, who retired in September 2008, the other officers who will be charged are:
 

• Former PDDG Reynaldo Varilla
• PD Charlemagne Alejandrino
• former PCSupt. Teodorico Lapuz
• PSSupt. Emmanuel Ojeda
• PSSupt. Reuel Leverne Labrado
• PCInsp. Analee Forro
• PSupt. Edgar Paatan
• PSupt. Henry Duque
• SPO4 Victor Puddao
• PSupt. Josefina Dumanew
• PSSupt. Victor Agarcio
• PSupt Warlito Tubon
• SPO4 Alfredo Laviña
• NUP Eulito Fuentes
• Former PDir. Geary Barias
• Former PDir. Eliseo Dela Paz
• PSSupt. Rainier Espina
• NUP Alex Barrameda
• NUP Patricia Enaje
• NUP Maria Teresa Narcise
• NUP Nancy Basallo
• PNP Accounting Division Chief Antonio Retrato

 
Private individuals Oscar Madamba, Harold Ong, Tyrone Ong, Pamela Pensotes, Evangeline Bais, Artemio Zuniga, Gigie Marpa, Marianne Jimenez, Rasita Zaballero and Carmencita Salvador  will also be charged in relation to the alleged irregularity, the Ombudsman said.
 
The Ombudsman also ordered the dismissal — or a fine equivalent to one year salary if the penalty of dismissal can no longer be served — of PNP Resident Commission on Audit supervising auditor Jaime Serrano in connection with the same case. Also sanctioned was COA Technical Audit Specialist Amor Quiambao, who was meted with a six-month suspension without pay. — Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK, GMA News