Pangasinan governor facing graft complaint over alleged overpriced sports track

A graft complaint has been filed against Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino III over alleged irregularities involving the construction of overpriced P13 million sports oval track and event staging area inside Alaminos City National High School in Barangay Magsaysay, Pangasinan last year.

In a three-page complaint filed before the Ombudsman for Luzon last April 16, 2019, Michelle Anne B. Celino accused Espino of graft and corruption, particularly for violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, when the respondent public official allegedly implemented the allegedly "grossly overpriced" projects.

The projects in question were used during the 2018 Region 1 Athletic Association (R1AA) meet, where the provincial government spent P13 million of its public funds for the construction of the said sports projects. The amount was used supposedly for the backfilling of soil, asphalting of the oval, and the construction of two bleachers and a stage.

“The amount claimed by the respondent for the project is very clear not commensurate to the work that was undertaken, or simply put, it is grossly overpriced,” Celino’s complaint said.

“It is respectfully prayed . . . that the instant criminal case for violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 against respondent Governor Amado Espino, III be filed, as well as the corresponding civil and administrative cases . . .” the complainant added.

Section 3(e) states “Causing any injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”

According to the complainant,  of the total amount of the project, P5 million was allegedly used for the construction of the two bleachers and a stage and P8 million allegedly used for backfilling of soil and asphalting of the oval track

“A careful observation of the pictures would show that the bleachers would not cost that much. The material and cost estimates . . . were done by the City Engineer of the Province of Pangasinan for the construction of the said bleachers, only amounted to P1,241,006.81,” the complainant said.

While the two bleachers are still there, the stage was no longer there because it was pulled out right after the R1AA event, she lamented.

“That the amount of P8 million spent on the construction of the oval track and P5 million for the bleachers and stage are too excessive, and surely cause undue injury and great prejudice to the government,” the complainant added.

To back her allegations, the complainant provided pieces of evidence such as a compact disc containing a video recording of the Espino's speech before a gathering in Laoac, Pangasinan wherein he mentioned the alleged anomalous project as one of his accomplishments during his tenure in office;  photos of the bleachers, backfilling of soil and asphalting of the oval track; as well as the cost estimates of the two bleachers done by the City Engineer of the Province of Pangasinan. —LDF, GMA News