Ex-PNP chief Versoza, 5 others convicted for graft over rubber boats mess

The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jesus Verzosa and five others of graft in connection to the purchase of P131.5 million worth of police rubber boats (PRBs) and outboard motors (OBMs) in 2009.

In a decision promulgated June 25, the anti-graft court’s Third Division sentenced Verzosa and fellow PNP officials Benjamin Belarmino Jr., Jefferson Soriano, Luizo Ticman, Romeo Hilomen, and Villamor Bumanglag to six to eight years imprisonment.

They were also perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

Meanwhile, former Police Director Ronald Roderos, member of the PNP National Headquarters (NHQ)-Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), was acquitted of graft “for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

The case against former BAC member and Police Chief Superintendent Herold Ubalde was also dismissed on account of his death.

The case stemmed from the PNP’s purchase of 75 PBRs and 93 OBMs from EnviroAire Inc., Geneve SA Philippines, and Bay Industrial Philippines Corp. even though the suppliers did not pass the eligibility tests.

The procured items delivered by the three suppliers also failed to meet the specifications set by the National Police Commission and were not functionally compatible.

“The accused NHQ-BAC officials recommended the award of the supply contract to co-accused Verzosa, who approved the same. Hence, all the accused are responsible for the functional incompatibility of the PRBs and OBMs delivered,” the court said.

“Verzosa should have noticed the financial weakness of the suppliers and functional incompatibility of the PRBs and OBMs. Instead, he kept silent. His actions show manifest partiality toward the ineligible suppliers,” it added.

The decision was penned by Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez while Associate Justices Amparo Cabotaje-Ang and Ronald Moreno concurred. —NB, GMA News