Probers: No irregularity in CCMC's janitorial contract

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City legal office did not find enough evidence to support the allegation that members of the city bids and awards committee has awarded a contract for janitorial services of the Cebu City Medical Center to the highest bidder instead of awarding it to the lowest contractor.

City legal officer Joseph Bernaldez approved the findings of his investigating lawyers dismissing the complaint of Macario Quevedo, chief executive officer of Cebu East Asia Services Corporation, for lack of evidence.

Investigators found no proof to substantiate the allegations that the bids and awards committee has favored contractor.

Quevedo’s complaint to Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña says that there were only two of them who participated in the bidding to supply 25 janitors for the CCMC for the period of eight months starting March 1 to October 2010.

The other janitorial firm, Care Best International Inc., allegedly offered P2,485,140 while his company offered the lowest bid of P2,473,524. But despite of his lowest bid, Quevedo claimed that the bids and awards committee awarded the contract to Care Best International.

City lawyers however said the complainant failed to present documents to prove his claim. According to Quevedo, the BAC declared his firm to have the lowest bid, but asked to allow the Care Best International for a one month extension before taking over the janitorial services at the CCMC.

The city lawyers said that based on the documents they have gathered it was the Care Best International Inc. that offered the lowest bid of P2,174,497.

In yesterday’s regular session, the City Council only noted the legal opinion of the city legal office. (FREEMAN NEWS)