Ombudsman Orders Dismissal of Key Officials in DepEd Procurement Scandal

MANILA, Philippines – The‍ Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from service of several officials⁢ implicated in‍ the allegedly anomalous procurement of tablets adn laptops for the Department of Education⁣ (DepEd).⁢ The decision, dated May 31, ‍2024, targets key⁢ figures in what has been described as a “highly irregular” and⁤ “overpriced” transaction.

grave Misconduct and Serious Dishonesty Cited in dismissal Orders

undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla and Marcelo ⁢H.⁢ Bragado, a Director, have been found guilty of Grave Misconduct, Serious Dishonesty, and Conduct prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. ⁣Similarly, Ulysses Evangelista mora and Marwan Omar amil, both procurement management officers, along with Paul Armand Abando Estrada, have been found guilty of Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. All five⁤ face the penalty of dismissal from the service,‍ along with all accessory penalties.

The Ombudsman also indicted Undersecretary Lloyd Christopher Lao, Jasonmer Lizard Uayan (Director), and Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla for perjury.

However, in a separate resolution, the charges ⁢of perjury against Undersecretary Alain Pascua and Assistant Secretary Salvador Malana III were dismissed.⁢ The resolution also stated that charges of violation ⁢of Section 3(a) and (g) of RA⁣ 3019‍ against Pascua, Malana, Alec Serquina Ladanga (executive assistant), Abram Yap ⁢Chai Abanil (Director), Selwyn Carillo Briones (administrative officer), Lao, and Uayan were dismissed ‍due ⁣to lack of jurisdiction.

Senate Investigation Uncovered “Serious Irregularities”

These administrative and criminal charges ‍stem from investigations into DepEd’s procurement of tablets and⁢ mobile loads⁤ for students, and laptops for teachers. A Senate ⁤blue ribbon committee investigation previously concluded that these procurements were⁣ “highly ‍arbitrary, unjustified, improper and not‍ beneficial⁢ to the DepEd teachers and students.”

The Senate ‍panel also highlighted that the Procurement Service -⁤ Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) lacked the legal authority to act as a procurement agent for DepEd.The investigation further revealed “serious irregularities” at every stage of the procurement process,rendering ‍the laptop purchases “defective and highly irregular.” The committee’s findings‍ indicated that the ⁣procured laptops were overpriced, causing undue injury and being grossly disadvantageous to ‍the government.

The implicated‍ officials⁣ from the Procurement ‍Service – Department of Budget and Management ‍(PS-DBM) included:

Undersecretary Lloyd ⁣Christopher Lao
Jasonmer Lizard Uayan (Director)
‍ Ulysses Evangelista Mora (procurement management officer)
Marwan Amil (procurement management officer)
Paul Armand Abandon Road
Froilan Domingo (public‍ respondent)

The officials from the Department ‍of Education ⁣(DepEd) included:

Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla
Undersecretary Alain⁢ Pascua
⁣ Assistant Secretary⁣ Salvador ⁤malana III
Abram Yap Chai Abanil (Director)
⁢ marcelo Bragado (director)
⁤ Alec Serquina⁣ Ladanga (executive assistant)
* Selwyn Carillo ‍Briones (administrative officer)

The Ombudsman’s recent rulings underscore the gravity ‍of the ⁤findings, signaling a meaningful development in the pursuit of accountability ‍for alleged misuse of public funds.