Former Pangasinan mayor convicted of buying overpriced computer

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The anti-graft court convicted a former mayor of Pangasinan on the charge of procuring a single computer unit worth P120,000 sixteen years ago.

The Sandiganbayan convicted former San Manuel mayor Salvador Perez of violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, according to a statement from the Office of the Ombudsman.

The section reads “Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

Prosecutors of the Ombudsman proved that no public bidding was done for the procurement of the single computer unit.

The purchase was also coursed through a personal canvass on the suppliers, which violates the Local Government Code, the court said. The code or Republic Act 7160 allows personal canvass only on procurement without public bidding.

The Sandiganbayan also found out that procurement rules were not followed, especially due to inconsistencies in the documents.

While the P120,000 was paid to Starlet Sales Center in Tondo, the Purchase Order was issued to Mobile Link Enterprises in Mandaluyong City, the court said.

The criminal liability, meanwhile, of co-accused former municipal treasurer Juanita Apostol was dismissed following her death in 2011.

Perez was sentenced to imprisonment ranging from six years and one month as minimum to eight years maximum, with the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

RELATED STORIES

Cebu town mayor convicted of graft, draws jail term 

Sandiganbayan division convicts ex-gov of graft