Davao Oriental town officials ordered charged for ‘anomalous’ purchase of heavy equipment

MANILA, Philippines–Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Friday ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan officials of a Davao Oriental town for the allegedly anomalous purchase of heavy equipment worth P15 million in 2005.

Ordered charged for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft Law are former Boston, Davao Oriental Mayor Ramie Rosit, municipal Vice Mayor Amie Monredondo, councilors Judith Castres, Luisa Alac, Juvenil Linaza, WilfredoJubac, Levira Lintogonan, Norberto Dumaguete, Allen De Jesus, Marcial Plaza, Association of Barangay (village) Councils President Nilo Rosit and Sanguniang Kabataan Municipal Federation President Sotelo Vincent Cabrera.

The case stemmed from the report of the Commission on Audit (COA) which showed that no public bidding was conducted and they resorted to direct contracting when the municipality of Boston entered into a P15 million loan agreement with the Philippine National Bank for the purchase of heavy equipment consisting of a motor grader and wheel loader.

COA said the officials entered into an agreement without ascertaining that there were no sub-dealers selling at lower prices and no suitable substitute can be obtained at more advantageous terms to the government which acts ran contrary to Republic Act No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act).

The criminal case against councilor Marcial Plaza was dismissed in view of his death in May 2009.

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