Ex-PSC chief Angping acquitted of graft

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has acquitted former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Harry Angping of graft in relation to the supposedly anomalous hiring of 80 employees back in 2009.

Angping was cleared of violation of Section 3(e) of R.A. 3019, also known as the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act.

His co-accused, Philcare Manpower Services general manager Edmundo Montanes, was likewise acquitted.

Angping was initially faulted for hiring 71 janitors and nine gardeners from Montanes' company even though it did not have the necessary requirements.

At the same time, he signed an addendum in the contract of service without the conduct of public bidding.

Hence, the PSC paid each worker P15,324.42 monthly from March 2009 to January 2011.

In its 46-page ruling, the Sandiganbayan acknowledged that the addendum did not undergo the process of public bidding.

Atty. Paul S. Vega, head of the Legal Affairs Office of the PSC, however, explained during his testimony that the addendum was part of the original contract, so they recommended that there was no more need to conduct public bidding.

While the PSC's Legal Affairs Office's recommendation was "misplaced," the court said Angping could not be faulted for it.

"Accused Angping, who obviously did not act with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, and gross inexcusable negligence, should not be punished for relying blindly on the recommendation of the Legal Affairs Office, an office principally tasked to render legal advice to the Commission," the court ruled.