Incumbent Sarangani Governor Rogelio D. Pacquaio is facing graft and plunder complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged overpriced procurement of heavy equipment and motorcycles amounting to P182,483,750.
In an 8-page complaint-affidavit filed on April 30, John J. Chiong, founder, chairperson and president of Task Force Kasanag, Pacquiao was accused of violation of Section 3(e) and (g) of the Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act in relation to section 7.1 of the Implementing Rules and Guidelines of RA 9184 or An Act Providing for the. Modernization, Standardization and Regulation of the Procurement Activities of the Government and for other Purposes; and Plunder under RA 7080 or the Anti-Plunder Act.
The complaint stemmed from alleged anomalous transactions by the Provincial Government of Sarangani regarding the procurement of the following: four units of bulldozer (Komatsu D65EX-16), amounting to a total of P119,997,000; three units of crawler-type hydraulic excavator (VOLVO EC210DL), amounting to P47,994,000; and 145 units of motorcycle (Honda XRM125), amounting to P14,492,750 at P99,994 each.
The anomalous transactions were contained in the letter of Armando Cunanan, reportedly a former Provincial Chief Accountant recently reassigned to head the Sarangani Tourism and Investment Promotion Center to Pacquiao, dated December 18, 2024, along with other pertinent documents, which a concerned citizen forwarded to TF Kasanag.
Cunanan’s letter mentioned pre-audit discoveries of irregular, excessive, or non-compliant procurements, including:
- Heavy equipment purchases totaling ₱167.99 million
- 4 Komatsu bulldozers (₱29.99M each) awarded to RDAK Transport without the required feasibility study recommended by the Provincial Planning and Development Office
- 3 Volvo excavators (₱15.99M each) awarded to Civic Merchandising under the same irregularities.
- Modified Patrol Vehicles with excessive modifications and overpricing
- 145 Honda XRM125 Motorcycles (₱99,950/unit)
The letter claimed that findings were formally communicated through proper channels and personally discussed in closed-door meetings attended by provincial officials with concerned contractors and suppliers.
It added that during these meetings, there were clear attempts to pressure him to reverse his professional findings rather than address the substantive issues raised.
The letter said all findings were properly documented through tracer slips attached to financial transactions and written memoranda appended to documents. However, critical documentation mysteriously disappeared after transaction processing.
His letter claimed that his reassignment was irregular, lacked public service exigency, and clearly stemmed from his findings on questionable procurement transactions under Pacquiao’s administration.
TF Kasanag added that the procurement of 145 units of motorcycles was overpriced by P28,050 — P99,950 compared to the P71,900 selling price on Honda Philippines’ official website, hondaph.com.
“Respondent Pacquiao took advantage of his official position, authority, and influence as Governor of Sarangani Province to unjustly enrich himself at the expense and to the damage and prejudice of the Government,” TF Kasanag’s complaint read.
TF Kasanag, a 13-year-old civil society organization that serves as a force multiplier, helping the government in its campaign against corruption, illegal drugs, crimes, and terrorism, has filed more than 300 graft and corruption cases against politicians, government officials, and employees before the Ombudsman’s office. ###
