Records show 6 BuCor execs' paper trail

MANILA, Philippines - The criminal and administrative charges against Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Gaudencio Pangilinan and five other officials of the New Bilibid Prison are supported by a sheaf of documents at least an inch thick, all submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Records show that the complaint lodged by prison guard Kabungsuan Makilala was received by the anti-graft agency Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices.

The consolidated complaint provided the Office of the Ombudsman detailed information on various alleged anomalies within the BuCor since Pangilinan assumed office in July 2011.

Makilala backed up his allegations with official documents like purchase orders, disbursement vouchers, and contracts.

The charges stem from alleged procurement anomalies such as the splitting of contracts to enable small value procurements and evade public bidding requirements and the misuse of the BuCor’s trust funds, among others.

Makilala is asking Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales not to turn a blind eye on the anomalies.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has found merit in the complaints filed by Makilala in a fact-finding panel report, which was supposedly sent to Malacañang for approval and action three months ago.     

The panel recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Pangilinan and other BuCor officials who, during hearings, said no damage was done.

“Unfortunately, they are missing the point that their actions were not in conformity with the declared policy of the state on government procurement, which is to promote the ideals of good governance in government,” the closing statement of the fact-finding report, a copy of which was obtained by The STAR, read.

Pangilinan had earlier denied wrongdoing and blamed people disgruntled over reforms he said he instituted in BuCor for the charges.