Ex-Guiuan mayor faces graft rap for anomalous firetruck purchase

A former mayor of Guiuan, Eastern Samar and six others were ordered charged with graft before the Sandiganbayan for the anomalous P1.985 million procurement of a firetruck in 2007 without public bidding.

In a statement on Monday, the Office of the Ombudsman said it has found probable cause to charge for violations of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act the following officials: former mayor Annaliza Gonzales-Kwan, Arsenio Salamida (Municipal Engineer), Esperanza Cotin  (Municipal Budget Officer), Felipe Padual (Administrative Officer), Danilo Colandog (Market Supervisor), Gilberto Labicane (Draftsman) and Ma. Nenita Ecleo (Municipal Planning Development Officer).

Ombudsman investigators found out that the local officials entered into a negotiated procurement for the purchase of a firetruck worth P1,985,454.55 in 2007 without proof that the respondents complied with the requirement of two failed biddings under the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Under Section 3(e), the anti-graft law penalizes public officials for causing any undue injury to any party, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his or her official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. JE/rga