Ombudsman asked:Probe camera fund

Businessman Crisologo Saavedra once again asked the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate the alleged anomalous disbursement of government funds as payment for the surveillance cameras installed during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.

In his complaint filed yesterday, Saavedra also named Department of Public Works and Highways acting regional director Jerome de la Rosa and assistant regional director Jorge Sebastian as respondents.

Suspended DPWH officials Roberto Lala, Marlina Alvizo and Pureza Fernandez were not also spared from the new complaint, which also included Rosario Calves and Augustos Zafra, DPWH monitoring team members; Elfyn Banquil, DPWH supply officer; Rosalina Alquiza, cashier; Teresa Bernido, fiscal controller; Silverio Tacardon of Triton Communications and Chief Inspector Gerry Leopoldo of the Communication Electronics Group of the Police Regional Office-7.

Saavedra said in his complaint that on April 4, the respondents accepted the surveillance cameras installed by Triton Communications despite the pending investigation. He said the acceptance of the project was illegal because it did not have the authority from the Philippine National Police.

According to Saavedra, Leopoldo is not the authorized representative of the PNP to issue a certificate of compliance to Triton Communications. The compliance certificate was made as basis for the release of the final payment of the project amounting to P15,723,166.51.

Saavedra said despite their suspension because of the other controversial project for the ASEAN Summit, Lala, Alvizo and Fernandez signed the final acceptance of the surveillance cameras last April 4.

As a result, on June 4, Land Bank of the Philippines issued the check to Triton Communications. The check was signed by Bernido and Alqueza and was received by Tacardon.

The reported illegal disbursement of funds was made possible because of the alleged collusion of the acting regional director and his assistant.

Saavedra is requesting the Ombudsman to slap the respondents with a six-month preventive suspension.

The surveillance cameras were installed by the police along the ceremonial routes during the ASEAN Summit last January. — Fred P. Languido/LPM