DPWH execs post bail on lamppost case

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-7 have posted bail on the graft case they are facing in relation to the controversial overpriced lampposts installed in Lapu-Lapu City for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit last 2007.

The case is pending before the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan in Quezon City.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio filed the case against DPWH Regional Director Robert Lala; Assistant Regional Director Gloria Dindin; Assistant Regional Director Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairperson Marlina Alvizo; Maintenance Division OIC-Chief Pureza Fernandez; BAC members Cresencio Bagolor, Agustinito Hermoso, Luis Galang and Restituto Diano ; Technical Working Group (TWG) members Ayaon Manggis, Marilyn Ojeda, and Teresa Bernido; and private respondent Gerardo Surla.

National Bureau of Investigation agent Renan Oliva said the respondents posted a bail of P30,000 each last February 13, 2012.

It was the NBI that the Sandiganbayan directed to implement the warrant of arrest against the respondents, but Oliva said the respondents posted bail beforehand.

The Ombudsman said the respondents “willfully, unlawfully and criminally cause the award through negotiated procurement of contract ID No. 06H00048 consisting of four projects” and not competitive bidding.

The contract reportedly costs P35,634,401.25, as signed by Dindin and Surla, the chairman of the Board of Gampik Construction and Development Inc.

This contract price allegedly exceeded by P12,629,816.99.  (FREEMAN)