Related Articles...
Featured Video
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
We have 4,381 guests online
| Comelec execs suspended |
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 29 July 2010 19:34 |
|
THE Office of the Ombudsman placed under preventive suspension six personnel of the Commission on Elections in connection with the canceled award for the purchase of Ballot Secrecy Folders supposedly to be used in the May 2010 automated elections. Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez said those suspended without pay are Jose M. Tolentino, Jr., Comelec Executive Director Maria Lea R. Alarkon, and Bids and Awards Committee members Allen Francis B. Abaya, Maria Norina T. Casingal, Martin B. Niedo, and Antonio B. Santella. The Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office earlier filed an administrative complaint against the six Comelec personnel for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and for dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. A parallel criminal case was also filed against the same Comelec officials and two private individuals for violation of the anti-graft law arising from the same issue. The FIO alleged that Tolentino, as head of the Specifications Committee, “provided unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference to OTC Paper Supply by making prior arrangements and/or divulging valuable and confidential information with them as shown by OTC’s astonishing speed to produce a tailor-fitted, Comelec-approved, BSF design in just a matter of days.” As to the members of the BAC, the FIO alleged in its complaint that they “erred in undertaking the alternative mode of procurement/direct contracting without any initial inquiry as to the claim of exclusivity of OTC” and “failed to follow the Manual of Procedures for Procurement of Goods and Services in conducting direct contracting procurement” in violation of the Government Procurement Reform Act. |
Most Popular Articles
- July 2010 Nursing Exam Results ( 402 views )
- COVER STORY: Ruffa’s New Beginnings ( 360 views )
- DALMACIO ARMAS ( 321 views )
- Ecija trader escapes ambush try; gunman falls ( 254 views )
- THIS WEEK'S TREATS ( 230 views )