Leonardia, et al face probe over armchairs controversy
BACOLOD CITY – The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has ordered Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson and several other officials of the Bacolod City Government to submit their respective verified position papers relative to the complaint filed by Sarah Teresa S. Esguerra and Othello Ramos in connection with the procurement of 1000 pieces of study armchairs for Bacolod City College through negotiated procurement last July 2008.
The complainants Esguerra and Ramos alleged that the negotiated procurement initiated by the city officials was a short-cut process of procurement which do not require the tedious and time-consuming public bidding.
The two complainants also alleged that the estimated cost and quantity is apparently “tailor-made” from the Letter of Intent and Quotation of Varceni Engineering and Industrial Supply which was also impleaded in the complaint.
On the other hand, Graft Investigator and Prosecution Officer I Alfred Yann Oguis along with Acting Director Samuel Malazarte of the Evaluation and Investigation Office resolved that the respondents City Administrator Dr. Roger Balo and Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat Melvin Recabar have waved their right to submit their counter-affidavit when they were notified previously regarding this case.
City Legal Officer Atty. Joselito Bayatan submitted a Motion for Reconsideration so that Dr. Balo could present their arguments. Bayatan said that when Dr. Balo was notified by the Ombudsman-Visayas, he was out of the country and the Ombudsman failed to received their respective counter-affidavit.
He also said that when the Notice was delivered to Dr. Balo, his lawyer Atty. Allan Zamora passed away. Bayatan believed that this case will be given consideration although the Ombudsman said that the two officials had waived their right to submit a verified position paper. The submission of the verified position paper is in consonance with the provision of the Administrative Order No. 17, dated September 15, 2003, amending Rule III of Adm. Order 7 of the Office of the Ombudsman.
