Guv seeks SP nod for 'done deal' contract
It has happened before and is happening again, only this time with the 9th Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP).
The request? Legislative authority for Governor Niel Tupas Sr. to enter into a contract for a deal that has since been in place at the Capitol.
The subject? Lease of the Capitol cafeteria covering a three-year period for a monthly rental of P12,000.
Calendared for business as item A-3 in today's session, the governor formally seeks SP backing to legitimize the lease as extended by the Iloilo Provincial Government with "LLP Ted's Oldtimer Lapaz batchoy."
Attached as supporting document for SP's review and consideration of the governor's request was the copy of the Contract of Lease. The 3-paged Contract already bore the signature of the lessee, Linda Lepura Puda and two other witnesses.
Among the notable provisions was agreement number one – "That the terms of the lease shall be for THREE (3) years effective August 1, 2007." The authority as sought by Governor Tupas was subject of a letter-request, the 2nd Indorsement of which was stamped received by the SP only yesterday.
To recall, the governor in previous SPs also had several similar moves where SP authority was sought for a contract already consummated. These included issues on security services granted to a particular agency with service contracts all bearing dates of effectivity that were "months ago." One particular contract of interest that then raised SP objection was a signed contract attached to that day's agenda. Said discovery led then to the emergence of claims from the governor's office that the contract was a fake. Even the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was requested to take action. The story eventually died a natural death.
The same was true with space planners for the new Capitol that was eventually opened for public bidding then awarded to the same planner.