Ombudsman stops Marinduque PC deal

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the provincial government of Marinduque to stop an alleged “midnight deal” entered into by former and incumbent officials involving the purchase of allegedly overpriced personal computers worth more than P18 million.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said Marinduque Gov. Carmencita Reyes has been directed to “cease and desist” from releasing any amount on the procurement package to Pisces Publishing Inc. “while this issue of anomalous procurement is still under investigation.”

Under Section 15(2) of Republic Act 6770 or the Ombudsman Act of 1989, she said the Ombudsman has the power to direct, as it acts on a complaint or at its own instance, any government official or employee to “perform and expedite any act or duty required by law, or to stop, prevent and correct any abuse or impropriety.”

In a three-page petition, former Boac town mayor and former provincial board member Pedrito Nepomuceno said former governor Jose Antonio Carrion, former vice governor Tomas Pizarro, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan were about to engage in a fraudulent transaction that would result in “irreparable damage to the finances of the provincial government.”

They alleged that Marinduque officials, including the provincial general services officer, provincial treasurer, and provincial accountant were purchasing more than 60 personal computers “at a staggering and unbelievable price” of P270,000 per unit.

Barangay day care centers were reported to be among the beneficiaries of the computers, which Nepomuceno alleged were being bought by virtue of a “railroaded” resolution of the provincial board.

“A brand new computer available in the market would only cost as much as P50,000,” Nepomuceno said.

He said barangay day care centers do not need computers worth P270,000 each and the funds could instead be used for new school buildings.

He said the alleged midnight realignment of funds resulted in the cancellation and dislocation of vital projects.

Carrion, in his defense, said Nepomuceno’s allegations were incorrect and misleading.

He said the P270,000 covered the cost of a learning package, which would include payment for the intellectual property rights of a software program from Singapore and training for day care school teachers.

Carrion earlier told The STAR in a phone interview that the personal computers would actually come free, contrary to Nepomuceno’s claim that the units were being bought at an incredibly high price.

He said the provincial government’s education program has been ongoing since 2007 and has been recognized and accredited by the Department of Education.

He said thousands of “very excited” children in 225 day care centers in Marinduque stand to benefit from the program.

Dismissing Nepomuceno’s petition as mere disinformation, Carrion said three provincial board members have actually tried to stop the project, but the court junked their petitions for the issuance of a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction.

Carrion said he has been working on improving the system of education in Marinduque since 2007 and his administration became successful in its efforts based on how they were able to raise the students’ 72 percent general average by at least six points.

Carrion said he is willing to respond to Nepomuceno’s allegations if asked by the Ombudsman.