The Sandiganbayan has convicted former mayor Noel M. Albelda of Maripipi town in Biliran and 12 other persons of graft in the irregular procurement of P7.9 million worth of medicines in 2010.
Also found guilty were former bids and awards committee (BAC) chairperson Wilma O. Elairon, vice chairperson Marietta C. Campollo, members Amelia A. Bacolod and Sonia S. Alavera, technical working group (TWG) chairman Julio M. Cairo Jr., TWG members Sergio G. Mejarito and Tito G. Cairo, former municipal accountant Michelle R. Quinte, former municipal health officer Mary Grace R. Llever, Commission on Audit (COA) Regional Office VIII State Auditor Genelito P. Balila, and SUREMEDS proprietor Jerome E. Capuyan and authorized representative Cherel M. Serato.
They were all sentenced to a jail term ranging from six to 10 years with perpetual disqualification from holding public office
From May 17, 2010 to June 23, 2010, the accused entered into a contract for the supply of various medicines and medical supplies with SUREMED for P7,998,777.26.
The anti-graft court found that there was no public bidding conducted, and the payment of the medicines was approved without the signature of the official who would accept it.
Thus, the court said that the accused officials exhibited gross inexcusable negligence and manifest partiality in the discharge of their official functions.
The procurement of the medicines was financed through the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) of Biliran Rep. Glenn A. Chong, and the accused officials took the responsibility of holding in trust P8 million from his PDAF.
"Had the accused remained faithful to their sworn duties as public officers, followed the laws to the letter, then this case would not have arisen. Unfortunately, in their concerted effort to award the contract to SUREMEDS, law-mandated procedures were disregarded and protocols were breached, to the damage and prejudice of the Philippine government," it said.
Associate Justice Ronald B. Moreno wrote the 125-page decision with the concurrence of Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Bernelito R. Fernandez.
TAGS: #Sandiganbayan #SUREMEDS #Maripipi, Biliran