Ex-Zamboanga mayor indicted for graft

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft charges against a former Zamboanga del Norte mayor for buying a bulldozer without public bidding.

In a news release, the Ombudsman said former Siayan mayor William Siasoco was indicted for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for allegedly causing undue injury to the government and favoring a private party.

The resolution arose from the Commission on Audit’s (COA) complaint against Siasoco for directly contracting the purchase of a P15.89-million bulldozer in 2008 from Monark Equipment Corp.

COA accused Siasoco of unilaterally resorting to direct procurement, without the aid of the Bids and Awards Committee.

The resolution said there was probable cause to charge Siasoco for graft because he disregarded the procurement rules.

“As a result of his deliberate unlawful action, the Municipality was deprived of the opportunity to acquire the best possible product at the most reasonable price which could have been achieved had a competitive bidding been conducted,” stated the resolution.