Badian councilor, treasurer sued for graft

CEBU, Philippines – A town councilor and municipal treasurer were charged before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas for alleged graft and corruption and violation of the Government Procurement Act.

Badian Councilor Carmencita Lumain and municipal treasurer Susan Pique were accused by Romeo Ejercito of violating the Republic Act 3019 and R.A. 9184 when they procured supplies used by the dancers of the Banig Festival during the 2008 Pasigarbo sa Sugbo without a public bidding.

Ejercito based his complaint on the report of the Commission on Audit which found that the procurement of supplies and services amounting to P1.2 million during the said activity did not undergo public bidding as required under the R.A. 9184.

Lumain, who was then the mayor of Badian, allegedly ignored the required bidding which could have saved money for the town.

Ejercito cited in his complaint the COA audit observation questioning the respondents tapping the P350,000 from the general fund of the town's annual budget to help raise the P1.2 million they needed to prepare for the festival.

COA auditors noted that the disbursement vouchers covering the purchases were not supported with itemized listing of goods with their quantities and prices, and list of persons authorized to receive the goods.

State auditors likewise questioned why the costumes for the dancers were paid despite the absence of proposed designs and estimates of materials, which should have specified the quantity and the cost of labor.

Ejercito said that despite the irregularities found during the audit, COA officials failed to take any legal action against the municipal officials prompting him to take the cudgels for the taxpayers. (THE FREEMAN)