NBI probes Eastern Samar school projects Joey A. Gabieta Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 05, 2009
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Eastern Visayas is investigating reports of anomalies surrounding some projects implemented by a state university in Eastern Samar.
Antonio Pagatpat, NBI Eastern Visayas regional director, said the reports alleged the projects were carried out without bidding and some were substandard.
The investigation focuses on six buildings in the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), which cost P30 million and built through the pork barrel funds of Eastern Samar Rep. Teodulo Coquilla.
The questioned projects included the construction of the library building, the food and technology laboratory building and the Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) building, the renovation of the homemaking section, Bagong Lipunan and Academic building and the repair of the college and academic buildings of the ESSU.
Pagatpat said his office received an order from the NBI central office directing him to conduct an investigation on the alleged anomalies based on a letter-complaint that bore the name of the Eastern Visayas Regional Contractors Association as complainant.
He said ESSU president Reynaldo Lombrio, who appeared at the NBI office on Oct. 27, insisted that there were no irregularities in the projects.
But Pagatpat said the NBI would continue its investigation.
