This page will record graft and corruption cases in the rest of the government departments and agencies.
Smuggling 105,000 Euros from Russia
Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police
The Office of the Ombudsman suspended without pay six active police officials for six months on account on an attempted smuggling of 105,000 Euros (P6.9 million) cash from the Russian Federation in 2008 on their way back to the Philippines after attending the 77th Interpol General Assembly (October 7-11, 2008) in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. The said money, while claimed to be PNP Confidential and Intelligence Funds, supposedly came from private funds, and thus graft charges also recommended filed. This undisclosed funds was discovered with retired officer Eliseo dela Paz and his wife, both of which were held at the Moscow International Airport.
The undeclared cash violates the provisions found in the Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA), rules on austerity measures (AO No. 13), and 1-year travel ban for retiring PNP officials. The charges filed include grave misconduct, dishonesty, and conduct prejudicial toteh best interest of the service.
Suspended are Samuel Rodriguez (special disbursing officer), Orlando Pestaño (finance service director), Tomas Rentoy III (budget division), Elmer Pelobello (superintendent), German Doria (directorate for human resources and doctrine development), and Silverio Alarcio, Jr. (directorate for operations director). Also charged are retired officials such as Avelino Razon Jr (former PNP chief), Romeo Ricardo, Emmanuel Carta, Ismael Rafanan. [Sources: "Ombudsman suspends 'Euro generals'," abs-cbnNEWS 9 September 2010]
Malversation of Environmental Fees
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The Sandiganbayan convicted and sentenced to 20-34 years of imprisonment former assistant secretary for operations, Datu Lami Mama, at DENR-ARMM for misappropriating P44.532 million worth of environmental fees and other forest charges. The court also ordered him to pay a P44.532-fine and to pay back to the government the amount he had appropriated.
The Commission on Audit found that the fees and charges had not been deposited to the regional treasury. Instead, the collector remitted them to Mama or to his Philippine National Bank account. Then Mama withdrew funds from the account and issued checks payable to the collecter to be encashed. The proceeds were then turned over to Mama. [Source: Leila Salaverria: "Ex-DENR official gets 20 years for graft," Philippine Daily Inquirer 04 September 2010]
Malversation of Payroll Money
Department of Agrarian Reform
Sandiganbayan convicted acting cashier Saiki Sarip of the DAR ARMM Provincial Agrarian Reform Office for misappropriating P2.727 million meant to pay for the employee salaries. Saiki received a sentence of 23-30 y ears imprisonment and barred from holding public office. [Source: Leila Salaverria: "Ex-DENR official gets 20 years for graft," Philippine Daily Inquirer 04 September 2010]
Noodle Scam
Department of Education (DepEd)
Based on its 23-page Complaint-Affidavit, the Field Investigation Office (FIO) of the Office of the Ombudsman reported that in the 2007 and 2008 approved annual procurement plans (APPs), the items to be procured were specifically "Noodles and Eggs," two separate items. The technical specifications of the item to be procured however failed to specifiy whether the eggs will be used as component in the manufacture of noodles, or in what form the eggs will be mixed in the noodles, or specify the ingredients in the production of the noodles.
The contract for the 2007 procurement of the 16,495,728 pieces of 100-gram pack noodles of "Fortified Instant Noodles with Fresh Eggs" worth P283,626,525.66 under the Department's Food For School Program was awarded to Jeverps.
In 2008, the Department, through Repeat Order, awarded again the contract for the procurement of 3,837,600 pieces of teh same pack of noodles amounting to P66,620.736 to Jeverps under its Low Performing Schools Breakfast Feeding Program.
However, Jeverps' license to operate issued by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) on 21 May 1996 had been suspended because of two Cease and Desist Orders issued on 24 January 2007 for violation of RA 8976 (Food Fortification Law) and on 28 February 2007 for violation of Administrative Order No. 153, Series 2004 (Revised Guidelines on Current Good Manufacturing Practices). When the DepEd awarded contracts to Jeverps, the CDOs remained unlifted, even up to the present, as Jeverps' failued to settle the administrative fine of P300,000 imposed by BFAD.
Jeverps also appeared to have not submitted noodle samples to BFAD. Instead, in the bidding, DepEd accepted the samples tested by Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS), irregular in itself considering that BFAD had the mandate to do the testing. Despite that the SGS Results of Analysis on the samples confirmed that no egg content can be found, in whatever form, in the noodles, contradicting its packaging claims "Fortified Instant Noodles With Fresh Eggs" with a picture of an egg prominently printed.
DepEd officials charged include former Secretary Jesli Lapus (facing violations of Republic Act 3019 Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; Art. II, Sec 7 (2) of RA 9184 Government Procurement Reform Act, and; Rule III, Sec I of RA 7394 COnsumers Act of the Philippines), BAC Chairman and Undersectary Teodosio Sangil Jr., BAC Vice-Chairperson Demetria Manuel, BAC members (Nanette Mamoransing, Macur Marohombsar and Artemio Capellan, Jr.) and; Officer-in-Charge Ramon Bacani. Private respondents include Alexander Billan, Gil Quenano, Lino Ong, Teresita Parco and Terencio Taloma, all employees of Jeverps Manufacturing Corporation (Jeverps). [Sources: Tetch Torres: "Ombudsman starts probe of 'noodle scam'" Inquirer.net 28 August 2010]
DECOMMISSIONED DEPARTMENTS/COMMISSIONS
Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG). A high-level agency under the Office of the President with functions overlapping with that of the Bureau of Customs. I received no budget allocation in the 2011 National Expenditure Program. [Source: Norman Bordadora: "Aquino gov't gives zero budget to anti-smuggling, anti-graft bodies," Philippine Daily Inquirer 31 August 2010]
Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC). A high-level agency also under the Office of the President with similar functions as the Office of the Ombudsman. [Source: Norman Bordadora: "Aquino gov't gives zero budget to anti-smuggling, anti-graft bodies," Philippine Daily Inquirer 31 August 2010]
DECOMMISSIONED DEPARTMENTS/COMMISSIONS
Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG). A high-level agency under the Office of the President with functions overlapping with that of the Bureau of Customs. I received no budget allocation in the 2011 National Expenditure Program. [Source: Norman Bordadora: "Aquino gov't gives zero budget to anti-smuggling, anti-graft bodies," Philippine Daily Inquirer 31 August 2010]
Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC). A high-level agency also under the Office of the President with similar functions as the Office of the Ombudsman. [Source: Norman Bordadora: "Aquino gov't gives zero budget to anti-smuggling, anti-graft bodies," Philippine Daily Inquirer 31 August 2010]
