Records show that when Palabrica was the municipal mayor, he “willfully, unlawfully, and criminally” intervened in the awarding of a PHP5.36-million contract entered into by the local government with Tri-B Marketing from 2007 to 2009.
The investigators established, that Tri-B was owned by Rufino’s wife, Theresa Palabrica, but was registered under the name of her dummy, Eden Casteneda.
The contract was for the concreting, rip-rapping, widening, and construction of the drainage system at Espino St., and construction of the drainage on Aportadera St. worth PHP1.89 million in December 2007, and the concreting of a portion of Pototan-Dingle Road worth PHP1.79 million in September 2008.
The local government of Dingle also awarded Tri-B the concreting of Camambugan-Caguyuman Barangay Road amounting to PHP733,794 in February 2009 and the construction of a home technology building at Rufino Palabrica Sr. National High School worth PHP953,271.64 in March 2009.
The Ombudsman stated that the business interest of Palabrica’s wife in a government contract violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard for Public Officials and Employees.
The Ombudsman has recommended a bond of PHP120,000 for Palabrica’s temporary liberty.-Editha Z. Caduaya//Newsline.ph
