Ombudsman sacks ex-PLM president over Starex van's procurement

The Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of former Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) acting president Jose Roy III and Vice President for Finance and Planning Angelita Solis over the irregular purchase of a Hyundai Starex van in 2006.

Also found guilty of grave misconduct and ordered dismissed were PLM employees Cecilia Calma, Angeles Ramos, Eloisa Macalinao, Felix Aspiras and Albert Dela Cruz.

The Ombudsman said that the purchase of the P1.1-million van did not go through public bidding.

"They unlawfully resorted to direct contracting as a mode of procurement," the office said.

Based on records of the case, the Commission on Audit issued a notice of suspension citing non-compliance with procurement regulations and the lack of the university’s annual procurement plan.

Roy and the other accused claimed that the “decision to resort to direct contracting stemmed from the urgency of the end-user’s need."

In its decision, the Ombudsman said “respondents deliberately disregarded the requirements of R.A. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) to favor and give benefits to the dealer of Hyundai Starex van.”

Aside from dismissal from government service, Roy and the other PLM employees were also meted with perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits.

"In the event that the dismissal can no longer be enforced, the same shall be converted into a fine equivalent to respondent’s one year salary," the Ombudsman added. —ALG, GMA News