Ex-BFAR chief told: Answer P2-B monitoring project raps

IMEMS require all commercial fishing vessels to install a monitoring system that would show their location along with support vessels while at sea

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered former Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources director Eduardo Gongona and four others to respond to the graft complaint filed against them in connection with the P2.09-billion contract awarded to a British company to supply technology and equipment for the Integrated Marine Environment Monitoring System project of the BFAR.

The IMEMS requires all commercial fishing vessels to install a monitoring system that would show their location along with support vessels while at sea.

In an order signed by acting director Ruth Laura A. Mella of the Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Adjudication Bureau-F, the Ombudsman directed Gongona and his co-respondents to submit within 10 days from receipt of the order their counter-affidavits in response to the complaint filed by Atty. James Mier Victoriano.

Aside from Gongona, also named respondents were former BFAR-Bids and Awards Committee chairpersons Hansel Didulo and Demosthenes Escoto, who is currently BFAR’s national director.

Included as private respondents were Simon Tucker and Richard Hurd, both of SRT Marine Systems Solutions Ltd., the firm that won the IMEMS contract.

In its directive, the anti-graft body required each respondent to attach the affidavits of their witnesses and other supporting evidence in their counter-affidavits. They were also instructed to furnish the complainant a copy of their submissions with proof of service.

Non-compliance with the timetable will be deemed a waiver of their right to submit controverting evidence while investigation will proceed until submitted for resolution. The parties was reminded that it will not entertain any motion to dismiss, motion for bill of particulars, or any other motion that can delay the investigation.