Ombudsman suspends 6 poll execs over P690-M folders By Charlie V. Manalo 07/30/2010

Ombudsman suspends 6 poll execs over P690-M folders

By Charlie V. Manalo 07/30/2010 The Office of the Ombudsman yesterday placed under preventive suspension six Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials in connection with the canceled awarding of a P690-million contract to OTC Paper Supply for the purchase of the Ballot Secrecy Folders (BSF). This was an email statement from the Ombdusman’s Office sent to the media. Ordered placed under preventive suspension for six months without pay were Comelec Executive Director Jose Tolentino Jr.; Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman Maria Lea Alarkon, and BAC members Allen Francis Abaya, Maria Norina Casingal, Martin Niedo and Antonio Santella. Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said the commissioners, including himself, immediately signed the resolution placing Tolentino as well as all the members of their BAC under a six-month suspension without pay, pending the conduct of a formal inquiry against them.  “Suspension will be effective (Friday),” Melo told reporters at a news briefing yesterday. According to Melo, except for Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, all other poll commissioners agreed to suspend the employees involved in the ballot secrecy folder scandal..... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20100730hed1.html

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