THE governor of Bataan is facing criminal charges along with other provincial officials for the alleged anomalous purchase of a patrol boat.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro said graft charges were filed against Gov. Enrique Garcia Jr., before the Sandiganbayan.

Also charged were Rodolfo De Mesa, Provincial Administrator; Imelda Inieto, Agriculturist; Alicia Magpantay, Accountant; Emerlinda Talento, Treasurer; Ludivina Banzon, Government Assistant Department Head; Godofredo De Guzman, OIC Department Head, Environment and Natural Resources; Pedro Baluyot, Supply Officer III; Angelina Villanueva, Management and Audit Analyst IV (resigned); Francisco Caparas, Local Treasury Operations Officer I; Enrico Yuson, Department Head, Provincial General Services Office; Evangeline Diaz, Department Head, Provincial General Services Office (retired); Danilo Abrera, Agriculturist II and private individual Ernesto Asistin, Jr.

De Mesa, Inieto, Magpantay, Talento, Banzon, Yuzon, Diaz, De Guzman, Baluyot, Caparas and Abrera were earlier dismissed from service for grave misconduct and dishonesty.

Complainants Nestor Palomania and Alexander Caturao claimed that on June 8, 2005, a patrol boat equipped with six cylinder gas engine was requested by agriculturist Inieto for the Bataan Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force.

The respondents, they alleged, conspired for the unlawful purchase of the patrol boat worth P142,500.

Garcia and company allegedly awarded the bid contract to Asistin who was a non-qualified supplier and tendered the payment for the boat which caused undue injury to the government.

Documentary evidence revealed that a handwritten alteration was made in the Contract Agreement, Notice of Award and Notice of Proceed to change the specification from a six-cylinder gas engine patrol boat to a four-cylinder gas engine patrol boat. The boat was not delivered.