CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Former Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio on Monday urged Gov. Lilia Pineda to investigate reports that the practice of fleecing contractors in exchange for approval of their projects, has returned at the provincial capitol.
According to the former governor, contractors are being asked to pay provincial officials at least 20 percent of project costs for their projects to be approved.
Panlilio told reporters that his sources among capitol employees pointed at the bids and awards committee and the general services office as the units where the supposed “SOPs,” a euphemism for illegal commissions, are taking place.
He said several bids were predetermined, meaning no bidding actually took place and that projects were assigned to favored contractors.
An Inquirer source among contractors said a person close to Pineda either has a “big say” on projects or has been controlling them. The source declined to be identified and give more details out of fear of losing contracts with the provincial government.
Panlilio also called attention to the alleged overpricing of district hospitals in Magalang and Macabebe towns.
But Pineda told Inquirer that this “form of corruption does not exist and is not done under my administration.”
“When I assumed office, I made a personal vow that I will not steal public funds. To this date, I kept that promise true,” she said by telephone.
She thanked Panlilio for calling her attention to such reports, but called the information relayed to him as “false.”
Lawyer Andres Pangilinan Jr., provincial administrator, called the information reaching Panlilio as “ridiculous.” “I will never tolerate it,” Pangilinan said. “I can assure you alang makanita (there’s nothing like that).”
Pineda urged Panlilio to help produce evidence of wrongdoing so these could be stopped.
Panlilio, a Catholic priest, said capitol employees passed the information to him only out of concern and to Pineda to sustain anti-corruption measures.
He praised Pineda for cultivating unity with the provincial board and for surpassing the benchmark in the collection of quarry fees.