The Philippine Online Chronicles

In addition to being probed over anomalous helicopter purchases from 2010, Philippine National Police (PNP) officials are also being held accountable for the overpriced negotiated/ emergency purchase of rubber boats after the Ondoy onslaught in 2009.

According to Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jesse Robredo, PNP spent P131.5 million purchasing at least 75 rubber boats and outboard engines which were never used because the engines were the wrong type for the boats.

“To make it short, the rubber boat and its outboard motor were not compatible and won’t fit for each other. The Napolcom (National Police Commission) standard specification calls for a 40 horsepower outboard motors but those delivered were 60 horsepower,” Robredo explained, citing the PNP Maritime Group's inspection.

Robredo said that former PNP chief Jesus Versoza, PNP Bids and Awards Committee (PNP-BAC) members, and others involved in the said overpricing acquisition “could be held liable for this irregular and anomalous transaction.”

The DILG head also ordered PNP chief director General Raul Bacalzo to conduct a probe regarding the purchase of the defective, “most overpriced and unusable” rubber boats and outboard engines acquired from suppliers Envirp-Aire Inc., Geneve SA Phils. Inc., and Bay Industrial Philippines.

According to Robredo, a 40-horsepower engine only costs P248,000 each, while 60-horse power engines are around P360,000. “All the delivered rubber boats from the three suppliers were similarly priced at P1.165 million each while the outboard motors were priced at P475,000 each,” he said, and adding that more than P1 million spent for rubber boats distribution was not even included in the contract.

"Ang investigation ay aabot hanggang kay former PNP chief Verzosa kasi siya lahat ang pumirma ng approval," said Robredo. "It doesn’t follow na may kasalanan siya, but he must explain."

Meanwhile, Versoza, through his lawyer Benjamin Santos, welcomed the investigation but denied that the acquisition done during his term was anomalous.

In a text message, Santos explained, “He (Verzosa) welcomes any investigation on the allegations of Secretary Robredo. The systems and procedures are in place in the PNP bidding processes. Complete staff action is undertaken before it reaches (Verzosa) for approval and (he has) no knowledge or information of any irregularities or violation of the procurement law.”

Robredo has already ordered the filing of charges against the PNP officials responsible for the procurement of three “brand-new” helicopters in 2009.

"Either nalusutan sila o hindi nila alam ang brand new. Due diligence, at the very least. If it wasn't brand new, it would have been cheaper, maybe even at half price," he said.

Those who would be held liable are Versoza, Police Chief Supt. George Piano, Senior Supt. Louie Saligumba, Senior Supt. Nolan Antonio, and Supt. Edgar Bataan of the acceptance inspections committee.