- PLM acting president Jose “Judd” Roy III and vice president for finance and planning Angelita Solis were dismissed from service
- The decision came from the Ombudsman after finding the school officials guilty of grave misconduct
- Roy was a member of the defense team of impeached and convicted SC Justice Renato Corona
For grave misconduct, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) acting president Jose “Judd” Roy III and vice-president for finance and planning Angelita Solis were dismissed from service.
In an article written published on Rappler, it was disclosed that the dismissal order stemmed from the illegal procurement in 2006 of a Hyundai Starex van worth P1.1 million.
Based on reports, the Ombudsman found that no public bidding was conducted by the university officials but instead they unlawfully resorted to direct contracting as a mode of procurement.
Roy was also a former PLM law dean and was a member of the defense team of impeached and convicted Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona.
Along with Roy, other Pamantasan employees who were ordered dismissed from the service were as follows: Cecilia Calma, Angeles Ramos, Eloisa Macalinao, Felix Aspiras and Albert Dela Cruz.
Earlier, the respondents noted in their defense that there wasn’t enough time to conduct public bidding.
However, the decision stated that “respondents deliberately disregarded the requirements of RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) to favor and give benefits to the dealer of Hyundai Starex van.”
Meanwhile, the Commission on Audit issued a notice of suspension for non-compliance with procurement regulations and the lack of the university’s annual procurement plan.
As such, a statement from the Office of the Ombudsman said that Roy and the rest of the accused were “meted the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of retirement benefits.”
Should dismissal no longer be enforceable, it shall be “converted into a fine equivalent to respondent’s one year salary,” the same statement added.
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