Suspended Lapu officials to seek reconsideration

TOP officials of Lapu-Lapu City plan to challenge their suspension by the Visayas Ombudsman’s Office which ordered 18 officials supsended for six months for the overpriced purchase of computers worth P23.5 million in 2005.

City Administrator Teodulo Ybañes was ordered suspended along with department heads City Budget Officer  Victoria Andoy, City Treasurer Elena Pacaldo Rogelio Veloso, City Legal Officer Vincent Joseph Lim and City Accountant Buenaventura Igot and 14 employees.

Acting City Legal Officer Michael Dignos said they will file a motion for reconsidaration with the Ombudsman-Visayas before a five-day deadline next week.

Dignos said they were saddened by the Ombudsman findings even if the administrative charges against them were previously dismissed.

In their findings, the Ombudsman said the computer units were overpriced at P50,000 each despite being inferior in quality.

The agency said the Bids and Awards committee unduly favored Kein Enterprises which sold the computer units.

Dignos said contrary to the Ombudsman-Visayas’s findings the computers were high-end units that are  still being used today.

“The specifications were exceptional because we want to use these units in a long term basis to be transferred to the barangays,” Dignos said.

He said the bidding process was transparent and didn’t favor any contractor.

The  470 computers were intended for Lapu-Lapu City’s high schools, Dignos said.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said she may not implement the suspension order since the officials and employees will file a motion for reconsideration on the Ombudsman order. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos