Graft complaint filed vs Laguna governor over review class program

MANILA, Philippines — Laguna Governor Sol Aragones became the subject of a graft complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday over alleged irregularities in a program which complainants said had a P11.5 million budget to provide free review center classes for civil service examination takers.

According to Laguna Board Member Lorenzo Zuñiga Jr., one of the complainants, the program did not undergo a bidding process, other review centers offer the same services at a lower price, and some beneficiaries were allegedly told to submit fake documents.

Aragones slammed the complaint, saying it was meant to destroy her reputation.

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In the complaint, Zuniga noted that the P15,500 earmarked for each student to avail review center services did not undergo public bidding and procurement process, which, he said, could be a violation under the Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

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Zuñiga also noted that other review centers offered the same services as low as P6,000, or more than half the price of the allotted amount. 

He also alleged that some beneficiaries received the amount despite not attending a review program and allegedly submitted fake diplomas as supporting documents.

“They received P15,500 … but they did not review and fake diplomas were submitted for them so they could get the P15,500,” he said in an interview.

The media did not immediately receive a copy of the complaint-affidavit. 

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Aragones said her camp is still waiting for a copy of the complaint.

She said she “strongly condemns” the circulation of the reports of this complaint to social media before they officially receive the document.

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This, she said, “clearly shows bad intention and is only intended to ruin reputation.”

“It is saddening that instead of focusing on service, they put this kind of politicking first,” the governor said.

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Aragones said she will release a full and formal statement “at the right time” once her legal team addresses the complaints in the right legal forum. /gsg