Tuguegarao mayor to file motion against graft guilty verdict

Cagayan, Philippines – City Mayor Jefferson Soriano is on the process of filing a motion for reconsideration regarding Sandiganbayan’s guilty verdict on the controversial rubber boat case against him and five other retired Philippine National Police officials.

Soriano and the other retired generals were found ‘guilty beyond reasonable doubt’ by the Sandiganbayan Third Division for graft for the procurement of the P131.5 million worth of police rubber boats and outboard motors in 2009.

The decision was promulgated this June 25, sentencing them to 6 years and a month to 8 years and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

In his statement this June 30, Soriano, who was a former Deputy Director General and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) head, said they are now on the process of filing a motion for reconsideration explaining his defense to the people of Tuguegarao.

Soriano said that the function of the members of the BAC ends on the recommendation of qualified suppliers to the Chief PNP who is the Head of the Procuring Entity, adding that the BAC has nothing to do with the delivery of goods anymore and that this is handled by another committee.

“The issues involved were procedural and technical in nature, and rest mainly on the boats that were delivered. There is no accusation of embezzlement of money in this case,” Soriano stated.

He further explained that the BAC had in fact saved around P53 million, which was used to buy more watercrafts for the PNP Maritime Group.

“The original budget for this procurement was P180 million, but finding that this could be lowered, in the best interest of the PNP organization, the BAC recommended for reduction of said budget to only Php127 million,” he said.

The other generals convicted include former PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa; PNP Deputy Director General Benjamin Belarmino Jr.; Director and BAC Vice Chair Luizo Ticman; Director and BAC member Romeo Hilomen; and Chief Superintendent and BAC member Villamor Bumanglag.

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