DepEd to study Ombudsman ruling on graft case vs Lapus

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education will study the recent Ombudsman decision dismissing a multimillion-peso graft case against former education secretary Jesli Lapus and five other DepEd officials accused of involvement in the case of 2007 and 2009.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that they have not yet received a copy of the Ombudsman’s March 6, 2012 joint resolution that found insufficient evidence to hold the concerned former and incumbent officials of DepEd administratively or criminally liable for alleged bid rigging.

Aside from Lapus, also cleared were DepEd Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Thelma Santos, Bid and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman and former DepEd undersecretary for finance and administration Teodosio Sangil, BAC vice chairman and DepEd Legal Division chief Macur Marohombsar, and BAC members Demetria Manuel and Nanette Mamoransing.

Also absolved was Alex Billan, president of Jeverps Manufacturing Corp., who was named private respondent in the case two years ago.

The graft and grave misconduct complaint against Lapus and other DepEd officials arose from the alleged overpriced purchase of fortified instant noodles “with fresh eggs” in 2007 and fortified noodles “with fresh eggs and malunggay” in 2009. Their accusers were Prudencio Quido Jr. and Myrna Gonzales.