3 DPWH officials sued for plunder

Three top ranking officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas were charged with plunder before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas over the alleged anomalous transaction in the purchase of security cameras for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

A representative of the Pelican Bay Group Incorporated, a company previously awarded to supply the security cameras, accused DPWH regional director Roberto Lala, assistant regional director Marlina Alvizo and maintenance chief Pureza Fernandez of having made money out of the project by arbitrarily canceling their contract and awarding it to another supplier earlier disqualified in the bidding.

Crisologo Saavedra, who represents Pelican Bay Group Inc., also impleaded in the complaint Sonny Tacardon and all members of the board of directors of Triton Communications, Fidel Uy, Land Bank of the Philippines manager Escario branch, C/Insp. Gerry Leopoldo of the PNP Communication and Electronic Division and other DPWH officials who signed the vouchers and checks relative to the alleged anomalous project.

Saavedra said that DPWH officials increased the original contract price from P79,880,000 to P83 million.

Saavedra said that on October 16 during the pre-bidding conference for the project, he complained to Alvizo on the irregularity. Four days later they received the first bid bulletin and eventually qualified together with Triton.

However, on October 27, Triton was allegedly disqualified because of deficiencies in their second envelope including a violation of the terms and reference of the project and that the bid security was not callable on demand and it is not a bid security bond but an ordinary bidder's bond.

Consequently Saavedra said the project was awarded to them on November 6, which will be complied within 30 days. However, Saavedra said that DPWH officials stopped the implementation of the project by intimidating them.

On November 22, Alvizo, who heads the Bids and Awards Committee, allegedly called them to her office and demanded a 15-percent share from the cost of the project, which they allegedly refused.

Because of their refusal to the demand, Fernandez, allegedly refused to accept their deliveries reportedly upon instructions of Alvizo and Lala to justify the take over of Triton Communications, the alleged favored supplier of DPWH officials.

On November 28, 40 Close Circuit Television or CCTV surveillance camera were delivered by Triton, eight days after the delivery of the winning contractor was refused, which was awarded the project on December 6.

Triton allegedly promised to finish the installation of the 40 cameras and to work completely as a surveillance camera system, but regional police chief Silverio Alarcio Jr. certified that the contractor failed to comply with their promise.

Saavedra said that based on the certification of the PNP, only four cameras were working as of December 10, which is in violation of the terms of reference of the project. Saavedra said that despite the deficiencies Lala and Alvizo extended the contract which violates the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Saavedra said that DPWH officials even recommended and approved the payment of Triton amounting to P62,892,666 despite their negative performance as part of the payment. DPWH officials and the other respondents allegedly conspired to commit the transaction.

Meanwhile, members of urban poor groups lit kerosene lamps along ceremonial routes of the 12th ASEAN Summit where defective lampposts are found to criticize the government's overspending and for installing lampposts that are not functioning.

Members of Panaghugpong-Kadamay simultaneously lit kerosene lamps in different barangays of the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu where defective lampposts are found at 7 p.m. last Sunday.

Panaghugpong-Kadamay chairman Rami Inopiquez said that the government spent millions for beautification of the streets and construction of the Cebu International Convention Center to accommodate the summit delegates.

"The government has lavishly spent its resources for the summit, to put lampposts to the already lighted roads but many communities still remain in darkness because of lack of electricity," he said.

Militants observed that many of the lampposts placed along the ceremonial routes, which allegedly cost P96,000 each, are no longer useful because they are either defective or already destroyed.

They said the kerosene lamps also signify transparency and accountability, which they demand from the government on how it spent the people's money in preparation for the ASEAN summit.

During the ASEAN Summit next week, militants vowed to shame President Gloria Arroyo in front of the summit delegates by bringing up "very pressing issues" in their street protests. - Fred P. Languido and Wenna A. Berondo/BRP