Brgy captain, 3 others indicted for graft case

CEBU, Philippines - Finding probable cause, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas indicted the former barangay captain of Poblacion, Tuburan town, and three private companies for a criminal case that stemmed from an irregular bidding.

Graft investigator Luanne Ivy Cabatingan found enough evidence to elevate the three separate anti-graft cases before the Regional Trial Court.

Named respondents were former barangay captain Severo Evales, XLA General Merchandise represented by Phoebe Potencioso, World Trade Enterprises represented by Riolito Salvo and DLJ General Merchandise represented by James Bardoquillo.

In her 29-page resolution, Cabatingan ruled that although respondents denied the allegation but the same can be threshed out over the positive testimony of the complainant.

In their complaint, the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office of the Office of the Ombudsman said it was Potencioso, Salvo and Bardoquillo who supplied construction materials for the construction of the barangay hall and stage of Barangay Poblacion.

The complainant alleged Evales gave unwarranted benefits to his co-respondents by giving them the notice of award as the winning bidders.

They added the program of works for construction materials prepared by the engineer and approved by Evales were exactly the same with the bidders’ proposal.

“The data contained in the program of works and the bid proposals submitted by herein private respondents, who were the winning bidders/suppliers, would show that the description, quantity, unit, unit cost, total cost and the total material cost were exactly the same, complainant said.

Finding sufficient grounds to proceed with the preliminary investigation, Cabatingan directed respondents to file their respective counter-affidavit to negate the allegations filed against them.

However, it was only the private respondents who complied with the directives.

Potencioso denied the accusation saying she never connived with Evales when they entered into a contract to supply lightning for the multi-purpose building.

In fact, she said it was not Evales who went to their store to canvass but a representative of the barangay who brought along a program of works and bill of materials.

Respondents Salvo and Bardoquillo also denied the allegation claiming sometime in 2006 someone went to their store to canvass the items needed for the construction of the multi-purpose building. However, they said they could not remember who that person was.

Cabatingan ruled based on the evidence presented it was established that Evales signed and approved the program of works. –(FREEMAN)