Probe sought on "overpriced" rice

CEBU, Philippines – The City Council is asking the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the alleged overpricing in the purchase of 5,613 sacks of rice distributed to all barangay officials and employees last year.

Councilor Edgardo Labella, chairman of the Council's committee on laws, said each sack of rice was allegedly purchased at P1,250 when the same could reportedly be bought at P900.

The disparity in price is very serious, Labella said in a privilege speech during the Council's regular session yesterday.

Labella used to be Ombudsman director before he joined politics in the late 1990's.

He said an investigation will not only prosecute those responsible for the purchase, but would also clear those not involved in the alleged anomaly.

Guadalupe barangay captain Eugenio "Jingjing" Faelnar, president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) in Cebu City, said he is not worried about a probe because no overpricing took place.

Faelnar said he has documents to disprove the allegations.

He said the budget for the 5,613 sacks of rice, which amounted to P7,016,250 reportedly came from the city as "aid to the barangays."

The Council approved en masse Labella's privileged speech, which will be furnished to Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol.

A few weeks ago, Faelnar requested for a budget of P8 million for the purchase of advance Christmas gifts for barangays officials and employees in the city.

The councilors, however, deferred the approval of his request, saying they would want to know first how the previous aids to barangays were carried out. (FREEMAN)