Ex-PNP chief to face raps over rubber boats scam

MANILA -- Graft charges will soon be filed before the Sandiganbayan against retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Versoza and seven others in connection with the anomalous purchase of 75 defective rubber boats in 2008.

This developed after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales denied the motions for reconsideration of Versoza and the following respondents: retired Deputy Police Director General Jefferson Soriano, Police Director Luizo Ticman, Police Director Ronald Roderos, Police Director Romeo Hilomen, Police Chief Superintendent Herold Ubalde, Deputy Police Director General Benjamin Belarmino Jr., and Police Chief Superintendent Villamor Bumanglag.

In a 34-page order, Morales said the appeals are "mere rehash of their initial arguments set forth in their counter-affidavits which we already considered, weighed and resolved before we rendered the resolution sought to be considered."

Records showed the PNP entered into four contracts with the following suppliers: (a) Enviroaire for the supply of 93 units of outboard motors (OBMs) with a total contract price of P44,175,000; (b) Enviroaire for the supply of 10 units of police rubber boats (PRBs) with a total contract price of P11,650,000; (c) Geneve for the supply of 41 units of PRB with a total contract price of P47,765,000; and (d) Bay Industrial for the supply of 10 units of PRB with a total contract price of P11,650,000.

Upon delivery, however, the PNP Maritime Group through its Technical Inspection Committee on Watercrafts discovered various deficiencies in the equipment and that the boats and engines were not functional when fitted together.

The government allegedly lost P131.55 million due to the transaction as the equipment can no longer be used for disaster operation efforts of the PNP. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)