8 Cebu port execs charged

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a graft case against Cebu Port Authority general manager Angelo Verdan and seven other port officials over the alleged anomalous procurement of second-hand motorcycles amounting P465,000.

Filed before the Sandiganbayan on June 18, the case involves violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Named as Verdan's coaccused in the case were seven other Cebu Port Authority (CPA) officials, namely deputy general manager Dennis Villamor, Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman Mario Tan, BAC vice chairman Oscar Lopez, BAC membersYusop Uckung and Ninfa Hernandez, Finance Division manager Elizabeth Suarez, canvasser and industrial security officer Owen Dominic Roma.

Based on the information of the case prepared by assistant special prosecutor Jorge Espinal, the CPA officials "conspired" in giving unwarranted benefit, advantage and preference to private supplier Drei Bikes Trading owned by a certain Marvin Andrei Ursal by awarding to the firm a contract for the procurement of three second-hand motorbikes worth a total of P465,000.

The ombudsman said the contract was awarded to Drei Bikes in December 2006 without the benefit of public bidding required under Republic Act 9184 or the Govern Procurement Reform Act. —