Ombudsman orders suspension of Eastern Samar mayor, 9 others over 'irregular' Yolanda projects

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has ordered the preventive suspension of Guiuan, Eastern Samar Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales and nine other local officials over the alleged irregular implementation of the multi-million-peso Yolanda recovery program.

In a seven-page order signed by Martires on February 12, Gonzales and his co-respondents will be suspended for six months without pay for alleged grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano has been directed to implement the order.

Martires also suspended municipal accountant Adrian Bernardo; municipal treasurer Felicisima Bernardo; Bids and Awards Committee members Arsenio Salamida, Esperanza Cortin, Danilo Colandog, Gilberto Labicante, Ma. Nenita Ecleo, and Felipe Padual; and BAC-Technical Working Group member Zosimo Macabasag.

The government had identified Guiuan as one of the 171 local government units which sustained severe damages during the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda in 2013, and was considered eligible for the Recovery Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) funds of the DILG.

The local government thus approved the release of P209 million in public funds for projects listed under RAYs 1 and 2, with P147.764 million going to two contractors.

Pedro S. Labasbas Construction bagged RAY 1 in April 2014 for the repair and rehabilitation of the Guiuan municipal building and public market, while RAY 2 went to EDG Americas Inc. in February 2015 for the repair 89 facilities in 60 component barangays.

However, the Field Investigation Bureau of the Office of the Ombudsman found no proof both contractors submitted documents stating their technical, legal and financial competence to undertake the projects.

The Ombudsman said EDG Americas Inc. also deviated from the approved plans stated in the Program of Works, such as discrepancies in the construction materials used and the number of floors built.

"The RAY which is the source fund for the projects was endowed to the constituents of Guiuan to rehabilitate their community from the relentless and harsh calamity they suffered from the super typhoon," Martires said.

"Any gross neglect of duty or grave misconduct caused in the use and management of said fund is an offense of severe gravity," it added.

Gonzales and his co-respondents face the penalty of removal from the service in case the Ombudsman finds them guilty. —LDF, GMA News