Graft and malversation charges filed against former top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials before the Sandiganbayan have been strengthened following a Commission on Audit (COA) decision to affirm with finality notices of disallowances for the R397.59 million spent in 2007 and 2008 for repairs and procurement of spare parts for PNP’s V-150 light armored vehicles.

In a decision issued Wednesday, the COA Commission Proper junked a motion for reconsideration filed by the involved officers in connection with the issuance of the notices of disallowance that supported the filing of criminal charges against them.

COA Chairman Michael G. Aguinaldo and Commissioner Jose A. Fabia signed the decision that declared as “final and executory” the notices of disallowance issued on Oct. 18, 2012.

Charged before the Sandiganbayan were former PNP Chief, retired Director-General Avelino I. Razon, Jr.; Director Geary Barias; Director Teodorido Lapuz IV and 24 other former and incumbent PNP officer and private individuals.

COA disallowed the payment of P397.59 million for the repairs and procurement of spare parts, including 40 tires, for the V-150 armored vehicles.

The COA decision upheld previous findings of the joint panel of COA and Ombudsman fraud investigators that discovered that documents submitted in support of the repair deal were bogus. Among the fake documents included in the liquidation report of the expenses were delivery receipts, certifications, inspection and acceptance reports, pre-repair and post inspection reports and disbursement vouchers.

The panel said there was no actual delivery of engine and transmission spare parts and other materials although full payment was released to the contractor-suppliers.

Razon and his co-accused filed a petition for review of the notice of disallowance but failed to convince the COA-CP to overturn the previous audit finding.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Ben Rosario

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