Ex-city treasurer convicted of graft for overpriced weighing scale

MANILA, Philippines—The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former city treasurer of graft for the procurement of an overpriced weighing scale worth P130,000.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Office of the Ombudsman said the antigraft court sentenced former Dumaguete City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva to six to 10 years of imprisonment and perpetual disqualification from public office.

Citing an audit report, the Sandiganbayan said the weighing scale purchased from Joe Bart Enterprises was overpriced by around P60,000 and was procured without public bidding.

The weighing scale is of poor quality, does not have a serial number, and not Japanese-made as indicated in the technical specifications, the Sandiganbayan added.

The court also found that the weighing scale was requisitioned in 1990 by the Office of the Market Superintendent through canvassing of prices from Metro Manila suppliers instead of from Dumaguete City.

Oliva signed the canvass slip alone, without the signatures of representatives from the mayor and Sangguniang Panglungsod, the court noted.

“This act of accused Oliva, coupled with her utter disregard of proper procurement procedures, clearly demonstrates bad faith and manifest partiality toward Joe Bart Enterprises, thus giving the latter unwarranted benefits, advantage and preference through the purchase of overpriced fabricated weighing scale and ultimately causing injury to Dumaguete City,” the decision as quoted in the Ombudsman statement said.

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