DepEd officials cleared of graft charges

CEBU, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has dismissed the criminal complaint for graft and corruption against provincial schools division superintendent Serena Uy and five other provincial officials of the Department of Education who were accused of favoring a contractor last year.

The anti-graft office cleared Uy and the members of the Bids and Awards Committee headed by its chairman Bernardo Ysulan, vice chairman Virgilio Suan and members Daria Sarsalejo, Norberto Torbeso and Romualdo Abella from the criminal complaint for violation of Section 3(e) of the Republic Act 3019 otherwise known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the R.A. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act because the complainant withdrew his complaint.

Arnulfo Sibi withdrew his complaint citing “societal circumstances” and his “public duty to help the government in saving its resources.”

Sibi accused the DepEd officials of favoring Roberto Edillo in 2008 for the printing, supply and delivery of elementary certificates and high school diploma despite the alleged irregularity in the latter’s requirements.

He added he protested but he was not entertained by the BAC because his protest was allegedly premature. Despite his protest, Sibi said, the DepEd awarded the project to Edillo prompting him to bring the matter before the Ombudsman. — Fred P. Languido/WAB (FREEMAN NEWS)