Ex-DOT chief’s conviction for graft affirmed

MANILA, Philippines — The Sandiganbayan has upheld the conviction of former tourism secretary Joseph Felix Mari “Ace” Durano and five other former officials of the Department of Tourism in connection with an allegedly anomalous P2.7-million DOT wall calendar project in 2008.

The anti-graft court’s Seventh Division said the accused failed to raise new arguments in their motions that would warrant the reversal of its decision.

The Sandiganbayan earlier found Durano, former DOT undersecretary and bids and award committee chairman Oscar Palabyab and BAC members Grace Yoro, Eduardo Jarque Jr., Evelyn Cajigal and Adriana Flor guilty of violating Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The law prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to a private party.

The accused were sentenced to six to 10 years in prison and disqualified from holding any public office.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2019, the case stemmed from the award of a contract to the PDP Digital Inc. for the production of tourism promotion calendars.

The ombudsman said no public bidding was conducted, which violated RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Instead of a public bidding, the BAC recommended direct contracting as an alternative mode of procurement without valid justification.

After the passage of the BAC resolution, Durano issued a certificate on Dec. 2, 2008, identifying PDP Digital as the service provider for the project, the ombudsman said.