The Field Investigation Office (FIO) of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the investigation of Director Clarito Barron of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for Graft and Direct Bribery in connection with his alleged involvement in the anomalous issuance of garlic import permits.
Barron is facing preliminary investigation for violation of Section 3(b) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act No. 3019) and administrative adjudication for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. In its complaint, the FIO also prayed for Barron’s preventive suspension pending investigation.
During its fact-finding investigation, a vegetable importer/exporter testified that “the giving of money or payment to secure import permits has been a prevalent practice in the BPI.” The witness narrated having gone to the office of Barron in July 2012 and handing him P240,000.00 in exchange for the release and approval of two import permits, with each permit costing P120,000.00. “The permits will not be processed unless there is a note or input from Barron allowing the permits to be processed,” the witness said.
According to the FIO complaint, “Barron may be held administratively liable as his actions fell short of that stringent standard of conduct demanded from everyone connected with the government.”
It will be recalled that in 2014, the Department of Justice directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct an investigation on suspected profiteering, hoarding and cartel-like activities in the garlic trading business. As a result, the NBI filed a complaint against BPI officials before the Office of the Ombudsman in January 2015.
Section 3(b) of the R.A. No. 3019 prohibits public officials from directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the government and any other party, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law.
Meanwhile, Direct Bribery is committed by a public officer who receives directly or through another, some gift or present, offer or promise, in consideration of the commission of some crime, or any act not constituting a crime, or refrain from doing an official duty. ###