Police jeeps not overpriced

The Office of the Governor denied allegations that the military jeeps recently distributed to different municipalities in the province were grossly overpriced.

Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia said there is no truth to the report that each of the 12 military jeeps distributed by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia a few weeks ago to the different municipalities cost P600,000. He showed Capitol reporters a copy of the purchase request to prove that each of the Jeeps only cost P209,000. The Capitol paid a total of P2.508 million for the 12 jeeps.

He said the transaction was aboveboard as it went through the regular process of bidding conducted by the Bids and Awards Committee.

Pablo John said he was surprised to hear reports that the transaction was overpriced especially when he learned about the P600,000 figure.

He suspects that somebody from the opposition may have been responsible for the misinformation because one opposition board member immediately said he would conduct an investigation. PB member Raul Bacaltos, according to reports, will look into the alleged overpricing. But the executive department said the documents involving the transactions are open for public scrutiny. The Capitol gave military jeeps to some municipalities especially those who have not had police patrol cars to respond to emergency cases. The governor said she intends to give military jeeps to all of the municipalities but this would be done by batches because of the considerable amount needed to purchase the vehicles.- Fred P. Languido