Ombudsman probers ask for more time in choppers case

The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday said it needed more time, at least a month, to review the "voluminous" documents submitted to them in connection with the controversial sale of second-hand helicopters passed off as brand new to the National Police in 2009. In a statement, Assistant Ombudsman Asryman Rafanan said the panel of investigators — that was earlier given a one-week deadline by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to come up with a report on the case — has so far only been able to come up with an evaluation report. "[The evaluation report] recommends a period of thirty (30) days for it to validate the voluminous documents, in coordination with the concerned government agencies, and submit a Final Investigation Report," Rafanan said. Last week, Morales issued the one-week deadline on the "choppers case" as proof of her commitment to prioritize the resolution of high-profile cases during her term. "We should not be satisfied in catching the 'small fish' as we must go after the school of 'big fish' lurking in government offices," Morales said. To kick-start this campaign, she said major reforms are being undertaken to stamp out corrupt practices in the Office of the Ombudsman, but added that this will take some time. Morales said she will focus her seven-year tenure in cutting the backlog in her office, which currently has a caseload of 11,000 pending criminal and administrative cases. Senators' recommendation Last week, three senators submitted a letter recommending preliminary investigation against 19 individuals including former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and some Philippine National Police (PNP) officials, including former PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa for allegedly conspiring when second-hand helicopters were sold as brand new to the PNP in 2009. Under the Ombudsman Act, even anonymous letters may be accepted by the Ombudsman as complaints against public officials under the office's jurisdiction. The senators — Teofisto Guingona III, Koko Pimentel, and Panfilo Lacson — said Mr. Arroyo and the following violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Government Procurement Reform Act. In 2009, the PNP bought two Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopters from the Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation (MAPTRA) at a higher price of P104.9 million. The choppers were supplied to MAPTRA by Lionair, which was supposedly acting on Mr. Arroyo's orders. The camp of Mr. Arroyo has since denied the allegation. — RSJ/MRT, GMA News