Mayor JVR sued

CEBU, Philippines -  Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes is facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas over the purchase of a rescue vehicle costing P3.5 million.

In her complaint, Lorete Bonete, a resident of Sto. Niño Street, Nonoc, Tabunok, Talisay City, said a March 31, 2014 Commission on Audit report showed that payment that the city made for a brand new Model JAC Stallion 4X4 pick-up was higher than usual.

She alleged that compared to a Toyota Hi-lux, which is of a similar make and even has higher engine displacement, the purchased vehicle cost 32.20 percent more “and therefore considered excessive.”

In its audit report, COA noted that the Talisay City government spent an excess of P780,000 in buying the rescue vehicle from the D’ Limitless Vehicle Ventures Corporation.

Bonete said City Hall also paid P175,000 as advance payment for a lifetime warranty on service and parts, which is “not allowable” as the vehicle is still covered with a warranty.

Because of these violations, Bonete sued de los Reyes for alleged violations of Republic Act 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

Her complaint included de los Reyes’ son, City Administrator John Yre, because he sits as city Bids and Awards Committee chairman and city administrator. 

The vehicle was reportedly purchased in haste last year, a few months after De los Reyes was still a newly elected mayor.

Bonete said that apart from the “anomalous” purchase, the COA also noted that the city government procured drugs totaling to P170,116.64  that are not listed in the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF) Volume 1.

“From September to December 2013, a total of P170,116.64 was spent by the City of Talisay to purchase medicines which are not among listed in the PNDF Essential Drug List Volume 1,” she said.

This, she added, was in violation of Executive Order No. 49 directing the mandatory use of the PNDF Essential Drug List, Volume 1.

The medicines were reportedly purchased without approval from the head of the National Drug Office, contrary to the Department of Health Administrative Order No. 2012-0023.

The city’s pharmacy, which was established by the new administration, was headed by the mayor’s daughter, Johnson Joy de los Reyes-Pagunsan.

The purchased medicines included 50 bottles of Ambroxol drops, 50 boxes of Ambroxol syrup, 20 boxes of Ambroxol tablet, 40 bottles of Carbocisteine syrup (100 mg, 60 ml), 41 more boxes of Carbocisteine syrup (100 mg, 60 ml), 1,440 bottles of Carbocisteine syrup (250 mg, 60 ml); 2,000 capsules of Carbocisteine capsule (500 mg); two boxes of Ceticoline ampoules; 2,304 bottles of Phenylpropanolamine syrup; and one bottle of Phenylpropanolamine drops.

Sought for his comment, De los Reyes believed the complaint was politically-motivated.

“Pa-file-la lang sila. Ilaha man nang katungod nga mo-file. Kaila ko ana nila nga ni-file,” he said.

“Naa gyuy nagpaluyo aning tanan kay ang tumong ani pamulitika. Ang uban magpasuhol man para maoy mokiha,” he added.

The mayor clarified that the COA finding cited by the complainant was not yet final and that will be among his answers when the Ombudsman orders him to respond to the complaint.

Sought for comment, John Yre declined to issue any statement in response to the complaint.

 “Hulaton lang nako ang letter from the Ombudsman,” he said in a text message to The FREEMAN.  — With Liv G. Campo and Garry B. Lao/RHM (FREEMAN)