Samar gov, 6 others face graft charges

For allegedly allowing the purchase of medicines and other items worth a total of P16.1 million without public bidding, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered yesterday the filing of graft charges in the Sandiganbayan against the governor and six other officials of Samar (formerly Western Samar).

In a 36-page resolution, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said they found probable cause to file eight cases for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Gov. Milagrosa Tee Tan, provincial treasurer Damiano Zerda Conde Jr., budget officer Maximo Darunday Sison, administrative officer Rolando Bolastig Montejo, general services officer (GSO) Aurelio Bardaje Jr., GSO record officer and inspector Numeriano Legaspi, and accountant Romeo Chan Reales.

The charges stemmed from the complaint of the Isog Han Samar Movement (Fury of Samar Movement), represented by Fr. Noel Labendia of the Diocese of Calbayog.

The group cited the investigation conducted by the Commission on Audit on selected transactions of the provincial government from Jan. 1, 2001 to April 2003.

Among the transactions audited, according to Office of the Ombudsman, were the purchases of medicines worth P3.9 million, assorted goods and rice worth P10.6 million, and electric fans worth P1.6 million.

The Ombudsman found out that no public bidding was held for the purchase of the electric fans since the supplier delivered them even before the scheduled bidding.

It added that the provincial officials allegedly took advantage of typhoon "Kidang" which struck the province on Dec. 4-5, 2001 to justify their emergency purchase of various medicines and goods without public bidding.

But while the medicines and relief goods were supposedly intended for the victims of "Kidang," the provincial board issued a resolution attached to the disbursement vouchers referring to typhoon "Nanang" which hit the province on Nov. 6, 2001.

Aside from the graft charges, the Office of the Ombudsman found the Samar officials guilty of grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and meted them dismissal from the service.

However, since Tan was re-elected in the May 2004 elections, she cannot be dismissed, the Ombudsman said.