The Sandiganbayan, a court that handles cases of corruption in the Philippines, has found 12 former public officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways Region 7 (DPWH-7) and Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, as well as one private citizen, guilty of corruption in a case involving the alleged fraudulent purchase of P83 million worth of lamp posts for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2007 ASEAN Summit.
In a 174-page decision dated December 2, the anti-corruption court sentenced DPWH-7 officials Robert Lala, Marlina Alvizo, Pureza Fernandez, Agustinito Hermoso, Luis Galang, and Cresencio Bagolor to six to 10 years in jail. Cebu City officials Arturo Radaza, Julito Cuizon, Rogelio Veloso, Ayaon Manggis, Marilyn Ojeda, and Teresa Bernido, as well as contractor Isabelo Braza of FABMIK construction, were also given the same punishment.
The court also punished the defendants for participating in a scheme to make it appear that there was a valid negotiated procurement when in fact there was not, through their respective roles and actions related to preparing, reviewing, approving, and executing necessary documents and decisions.
The court stated that, based on an August 25, 2006 letter from a supplier identified as Director Samuel Guerville of International Sales Asia Pacific to Braza, the contractor was aware of the lamp post project for at least six months before the Notice to Bidders was issued from November 10 to 17, 2006.
5
5