2 former UP Manila execs face graft raps

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of graft charges against a former chancellor and former vice chancellor of the University of the Philippines (UP)- Manila for terminating the service contract of a security agency last year.

Manuel Agulto and Joselito Jamir were found guilty of grave misconduct, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said.

The ombudsman ordered their dismissal from government service, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits except for accrued leave credits and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in government.

Records show that on June 28, 2013, Jamir informed Jayme Ang, president of 168 Security and Allied Services Inc. (SASI) that UP Manila had resolved to terminate its contract effective July 15, 2013 for loss of trust and confidence.

UP Manila’s management team terminated the contract of SASI over reported thefts and breach of the security fence of the university.

SASI filed a complaint after the university hired Commander Security Services Inc. (CSSI) as its new security service provider on July 1, 2013.

The complainant said the respondents had engaged the services of CSSI without a public bidding.

“The varying reasons that respondents cited for extending the contract without prior compliance with the requirements for contract extension under Republic Act 9184 and subsequently terminating the contract made their real intentions doubtful,” the ombudsman ruling said.

Morales said Agulto and Jamir failed to observe the provisions of the contract the university entered into with SASI.