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Cotabato vice-mayor faces charges for eyeglass reimbursement

          The Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict Makilala, Cotabato vice mayor Ricky Cua for two counts of Falsification due to bogus bidding documents for the purchase of reading eyeglasses in 2013. He also faces charges for violations of Section 65(3) of Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and Section 7(a) of Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).

           Investigation disclosed that Cua procured 314 reading glasses for his constituents worth P99,000.00 and asked for reimbursement from the local government. To facilitate the reimbursement, he falsified the cash invoice provided by the supplier and the abstract of canvass.

           Aside from Cua, the Ombudsman also found probable cause to charge the municipality’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) members, namely: Roel Caoagdan, Mario Ranis, Edwin Arellano, Pio Abonado, Jr., and Giovanni Ignacio, for two counts of Falsification of Public Documents.

           The BAC members were found to have falsified the abstract of canvass and resolution to simulate the procurement, therby making it appear that the supplier submitted the most advantageous price. These documents were used to support Cua’s request for reimbursement. 
           In a 10-page Resolution, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales stated that “it was Cua himself who purchased the eyeglasses, and who prepared and processed the supporting documents in order to get refunded of their supposed value.”

        “Respondent Cua made use of the invoice in successfully obtaining the supposed reimbursement of the P99,000.00 in his favor, without which the refund would not have prospered,” the Resolution stated.

            Cua was also faulted when “he unduly influenced and exerted unwarranted pressure on the BAC members to take Naem as their chosen supplier.”

            Under Section 7(a) of R.A. No. 6713, “public officials shall not, directly or indirectly, have any financial or material interest in any transaction requiring the approval of their office.”

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