Ombudsman orders filing of graft raps vs ex-Muntinlupa mayor, 12 others

By Philippines News Agency
Nov. 19, 2015

The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) has ordered the filing of graft charges against former Muntinlupa City Mayor Aldrin San Pedro and 12 others in connection with the alleged anomalous awarding of contracts for the construction of health and daycare centers in 2009 amounting to Php47.2 million.

In a 36-page resolution signed by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, San Pedro and 12 others were ordered charged with violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, for the awarding of 14 projects to various private contractors in March 2009 without holding a public bidding, which is mandated under RA No. 9184, or the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

“The fact that in all the aforementioned fourteen infrastructure projects, respondents repeatedly failed to follow the requirements of RA No. 9184 as well as its implementing rules and regulations on public bidding, establishes that unwanted benefit, advantage or preference was given to the declared winning bidders,” the Ombudsman resolution said.