Muntinlupa mayor, 24 others face plunder, graft raps

Muntinlupa Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and 24 other city officials were charged with plunder and graft before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

In his complaint, city department head Ariel Dolleton alleged that San Pedro and the city officials were involved in anomalies in the approval and award of 11 infrastructure projects worth P238.07 million in September 2007.

Charged with San Pedro were Councilors Icasiano dela Rea, Melchor Teves, Allan Rey Camilon, Marita  Deang-Calalang, Ma. Luisa Babaran-Echavez, Margarita Amythyst Patdu-Labios, Francis Ian Bagatsing, Luvi Constantino, Marissa Cole-Rongavilla, Mamerto Sevilla Jr., Vergel Ulanday, Robert Abas, Joselito Arevalo, Rey Bulay, Manuel Solomon and Christian Glenn Lorica.

Other respondents were Bids and Awards Committee chairman Roberto Bunyi and members Vicente Navarro, Michael Racelis, Peter Salonga and Sonia Laureta; City Budget Officer Avelino Orellana; City Treasurer Nelia Barlis; and City Accountant Edwin Suitado.

Dolleton sought indictments against all the respondents for plunder, graft and violations of the Local Government Code and the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Dolleton said budgets for the projects were passed and the contracts awarded by the city council even though the funds were not available. He added that the projects were also passed and approved without any public bidding and without a review of the contractors’ eligibility requirements.

In an order dated Feb. 28, Director Mary Susan Guillermo, head of the preliminary investigation, administrative adjudication  and monitoring office of the Ombudsman, said they found “enough basis to proceed with the preliminary investigation.”

The Office of the Ombudsman also ordered the respondents to file their counter-affidavits, answering all the points raised in Dolleton’s complaint within 10 days upon receipt of the directive.

Guillermo warned city officials that the Ombudsman will not allow any attempt at delaying the investigation.

“No motion to dismiss or bill of particulars shall be entertained.   Failure to file their counter-affidavits within the aforesaid 10-day period shall be deemed a waiver of respondents’ right to submit controverting evidence and the preliminary investigation shall proceed,” she said.

The Ombudsman’s order was served by personal delivery to the Office of the City Mayor last March 12. — Sandy Araneta