Ombudsman orders ex-PhilSCA head axed

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from government service of a former president of the Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) for gross negligence arising from bidding irregularities in the purchase of five Cessna planes in 2008.

In an order signed May 23 but only officially received by the parties last week, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said Enerico Sampang, now a member of the board of trustees of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay (PLP), should be held liable for the anomalous purchase.

The Office of the Ombudsman initially junked the administrative case against him in a decision issued in May 2011 because he was no longer connected with PhilSCA.

However, the complainant in the case, Nilo del Prado, appealed the ruling, informing the anti-graft agency that Sampang is still in government service since he rejoined public service by becoming an official of the PLP, a state university.

Morales, approving the recommendations of graft investigator and prosecutor Voltaire Africa, granted the motion for reconsideration.

The Office of the Ombudsman, quoting its original decision, said it found “that the procurement process resulting in the issuance of notice of award and execution contract in favor of Aviatour’s Fly’n Inc. for the purchase of five Cessna 172 aircraft were tainted with blatant violations of the procurement law.”

PhilSCA bought the aircraft even if the supplier failed to submit the necessary documentary requirements in a negotiated procurement that gave undue preference and benefits to the private firm that bagged the P25-million contract, the Ombudsman said.

The May 2011 ruling ordered the dismissal from the service of four other officials and officers of PhilSCA tagged involved in irregularity but junked the administrative case against Sampang due to his separation from the flying school.