Gwen, Capitol BAC ordered to answer CICC case

CEBU, Philippines - Finding sufficient evidence to proceed with the preliminary investigation, the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila ordered suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to file their answer over the controversy surrounding the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said two days ago, their office received a copy of the order directing Garcia and others to file their respective counter-affidavits within ten days upon receipt of the said order.

Aside from Garcia, other respondents were BAC chairman Eduardo Habin, BAC vice chairman Marino Martinquilla, BAC member Roy Salubre, budget officer Emme Hingoyon, BAC members Ernesto Biernes and Eulogio Pelayre.

Earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas upgraded the CICC case to a preliminary investigation before the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila.

The Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Bureau (PARB) of the Office of the Ombudsman-Manila handled the case.

Apostol said he did not approve the recommendation of the fact-finding panel to endorse the complaints for formal investigation citing the examination of the Commission on Audit, which found no irregularity in the project or no evidence of overpricing.

Graft investigators recommended the filing of two counts of graft case and two counts of misconduct/neglect of duty against Garcia and the other respondents that was approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

The investigators said the respondents allowed the WT Construction Inc. to make the site development and the  structural, architectural, plumbing and electrical works without a contract.

They likewise cited that the respondents violated the law since the procurement of supplies and installation of structural steel, metal cladding, structural cabling system, fire protection/automatic sprinkler system, powder-coated whit FD, steel fence/gates and air-conditioning units were done through limited bidding.

Apostol explained that the bidding should have been open to the public and that the contractor should have not gone beyond the contract.

Businessman Crisologo Saavedra on April 16, 2007 requested the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to look into the  construction expenses of the CICC, which was constructed by the Cebu Province for the 12th ASEAN Summit. (FREEMAN)