A formal complaint has been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against former Philippine National Police chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr. and other PNP officials and private individuals for their alleged involvement in the “ghost repairs” of about P400-million worth of 28 V-150 Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) in 2007.
This after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales approved the fact-finding report which recommended the conduct of preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication against Razon and other PNP officials, including former Deputy Director General Reynaldo Varilla, who was then the chairman of the PNP’s bids and awards committee.
According to the Ombudsman’s media affairs office, the Fact-Finding Investigation Bureau (FFIB) of the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices  filed last Wednesday the affidavit-complaint against them for violation of Republic Act 7080 (Plunder law), RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and Malversation thru Falsification of Public Documents under the Revised Penal Code.
Aside from Razon and Varilla, facing probe are Police Director Charlemagne Alejandrino, former Chief Supt. Ray Roderos, Chief Supt. Mario San Diego, former Chief Supt. Teodorico Lapuz, Senior Supt. Emmanuel Ojeda, Senior Supt. Reuel Leverne Labrado, Chief Insp. Analee Forro, Supt. Edgar Paatan, Supt. Henry Duque, SPO4 Victor Puddao, Supt. Josefina Dumanew, Senior Supt. Victor Agarcio, Supt Warlito Tubon, SPO4 Alfredo Laviña, NUP (non-uniformed personnel) Eulito Fuentes, former Police Director Geary Barias, ex-Director Eliseo de la Paz, Senior Supt. Rainier Espina, NUP Alex Barrameda, NUP Patricia Enaje, NUP Maria Teresa Narcise, NUP Nancy Basallo, PNP Accounting Division chief Antonio Retrato, PNP resident CoA (Commission on Audit) Supervising Auditor Jaime Serrano, Technical Audit Specialist Amor Quiambao and 12 private individuals who acted as suppliers/bidders.
The Ombudsman said incumbent public officials and employees were also charged with grave misconduct and serious dishonesty as indicated in the same affidavit-complaint.
The FFIB alleges, among other things, that there were “ghost deliveries” of engines and transmissions, no records of waste materials to indicate that the engines and parts have been actually replaced and there were irregularities in the whole procurement process, such as the lack of bidding documents to possible bidders, lack of pre-procurement conference, lack of pre-bid conference and lack of post-qualification.
Carpio-Morales said she created a special panel of investigators which was directed to conduct and complete the preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication within 45 days.
The panel is composed of acting Director Manuel Soriano Jr., lawyer Julita Calderon, lawyer Maria Theresa Lee-Rafols, lawyer Emerita Francia and lawyer Myla Teona Teologio, the anti-graft office said.
Meanwhile, the suppliers that will also be under probe include the Environ-Aire Inc., Evans Spare Parts and Motor Works, Repairs and Trading, RJP International Trading Construction and General Services, Serpenair Group Inc., Dex-Lan Enterprises and RKGK Enterprises.
Razon had long denied irregularities in the contract as he insisted that there were no “ghost repairs” since the 28 LAVs had actually undergone repairs and refurbishment during his term of office.
“The V-150s were repaired or refurbished. If ever, we can call it ‘alleged anomalous repairs or irregular repairs.’ Calling it a ghost repair is bringing it too off-center,” Razon said during earlier interview with reporters.