COA questions transfer of ex-Ombudsman Morales to incomplete building
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COA questions transfer of ex-Ombudsman Morales to incomplete building
Adrian Ayalin,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jul 31, 2018 05:27 PM PHT
MANILA - The Commission on Audit has questioned the transfer of former Ombudsman Conchita Morales and her staff, including prosecutors who used to occupy spaces at the Sandiganbayan building, to the Ombudsman Annex Building which is yet to be insured and completed.
MANILA - The Commission on Audit has questioned the transfer of former Ombudsman Conchita Morales and her staff, including prosecutors who used to occupy spaces at the Sandiganbayan building, to the Ombudsman Annex Building which is yet to be insured and completed.
In the 2017 audit report on the Office of the Ombudsman, government auditors said the 5-storey annex building was “not yet completed as of December 31, 2017” and the Ombudsman occupied the building “without the Certificate of Final Acceptance and the issuance of the Certificate of Completion of Works.”
In the 2017 audit report on the Office of the Ombudsman, government auditors said the 5-storey annex building was “not yet completed as of December 31, 2017” and the Ombudsman occupied the building “without the Certificate of Final Acceptance and the issuance of the Certificate of Completion of Works.”
The building, which has a contract cost of P498.59 million, has also not yet been insured despite the mandate requiring all government properties to be insured with the Government Service Insurance System, “thus exposing the property to unnecessary risk of not being indemnified for any loss or damage due to fortuitous events.”
The building, which has a contract cost of P498.59 million, has also not yet been insured despite the mandate requiring all government properties to be insured with the Government Service Insurance System, “thus exposing the property to unnecessary risk of not being indemnified for any loss or damage due to fortuitous events.”
It was also noted that the completion of the project has long been delayed, with an unpaid balance due to the contractors, Joint Venture of Filipinas (Pre-Fab Building) Systems, Inc. and F.F. Cruz and Co., Inc. amounting to P39.715 million as of December 31, 2017.
It was also noted that the completion of the project has long been delayed, with an unpaid balance due to the contractors, Joint Venture of Filipinas (Pre-Fab Building) Systems, Inc. and F.F. Cruz and Co., Inc. amounting to P39.715 million as of December 31, 2017.
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Before the transfer, some of the deficiencies in the construction noted as of July 20, 2015 were noted: comprehensive tests on fire protection and suppression not yet conducted; cracks on pre-cast pillars, base and supporting pedestals; defective and missing exhaust fans.
Before the transfer, some of the deficiencies in the construction noted as of July 20, 2015 were noted: comprehensive tests on fire protection and suppression not yet conducted; cracks on pre-cast pillars, base and supporting pedestals; defective and missing exhaust fans.
The deficiencies hindered the issuance by the Ombudsman of the Certificate of Completion of the Works to the contractor.
The deficiencies hindered the issuance by the Ombudsman of the Certificate of Completion of the Works to the contractor.
“However, even without the issuance of the said certificate, the Ombudsman have occupied and have been holding office at the 5-storey annex building since September 2015,” the COA said.
“However, even without the issuance of the said certificate, the Ombudsman have occupied and have been holding office at the 5-storey annex building since September 2015,” the COA said.
The Office of the Ombudsman explained that the transfer had to be done as they were already being asked to vacate the Sandiganbayan building, where government prosecutors attend hearings.
The Office of the Ombudsman explained that the transfer had to be done as they were already being asked to vacate the Sandiganbayan building, where government prosecutors attend hearings.
“Because of the contractor’s continued failure to complete the project within the contract time and the subsequent deadlines imposed, the office was forced to be requesting Sandiganbayan several times, to be allowed to delay or postpone its clear out from the building, to a point when further delays may no longer be requested with a straight face,” the COA said, quoting the Ombudsman management.
“Because of the contractor’s continued failure to complete the project within the contract time and the subsequent deadlines imposed, the office was forced to be requesting Sandiganbayan several times, to be allowed to delay or postpone its clear out from the building, to a point when further delays may no longer be requested with a straight face,” the COA said, quoting the Ombudsman management.
The COA however told the Ombudsman management to ensure that the remaining unperformed works be done by the contractor so that the building can finally be turned-over to the government and be classified as an asset, as well as insuring the building to protect the property against loss or damage.
The COA however told the Ombudsman management to ensure that the remaining unperformed works be done by the contractor so that the building can finally be turned-over to the government and be classified as an asset, as well as insuring the building to protect the property against loss or damage.
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