Ombudsman not sleeping on "computer anomaly"

CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas denied sleeping on the alleged anomalous computer purchases for the north district barangays in Cebu City.

Ombudsman director Carla Tangco said there is no truth to the allegations that they have not acted on the alleged anomalous procurement in the north district using the Priority Development Assistance Fund of deputy speaker Raul del Mar seven years ago.

Tangco added that the anti-graft office is still conducting a fact-finding investigation on the alleged overpriced computer purchases for the 18 barangays in the district of del Mar.

According to her, they have already referred the case to the Commission on Audit to determine whether the procurement was indeed overpriced.

She clarified though that the first complaint that refers only to barangay Carreta was already excluded because it has been dismissed by them for lack of merit. The Ombudsman earlier found that the procurement with respect to that of Carreta did not push through.

The anti-graft office earlier conducted an investigation into the alleged anomalous computer procurement in Carreta based on the complaints filed by Mariano Nadera and then barangay councilman Antonio Conahap.

The complaints were dismissed jointly by the Ombudsman on the ground that the alleged overpriced transaction has not been consummated. It was found out that the computers intended for Carreta valued at P100,000 each were not yet paid.

Tangco explained that while they have already decided on the complaint pertaining to Carreta, another investigation was conducted last year pertaining to at least 18 barangays wherein the procurement of alleged overpriced computers pushed through.

The investigation was based on a letter complaint of Roque Nacar of barangay Labangon.

In his complaint, Nacar claimed that while the procurement for barangay Carreta did not push through, the other north district barangays went on.

He said that procurement pushed through for barangays Zapatera, Pahina Central, Ermita, Luz, Lahug, Busay, Guba, Adlaon, Binaliw, Lusaran, Paril, Sambag I, Mabolo, Agsungot, Hipodromo, Kamputhaw, Apas, Sto. Niño and Pulangbato.

Nacar claimed that based on the documents he had obtained, these barangays purchased the overpriced computers from Manila-based dealer Global Development Corporation at P100,000 each when the computer unit actually cost P39,000 only. — Fred P. Languido/MEEV  (THE FREEMAN)