City to answer Osmeña’s query into project

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has directed the city’s legal office to answer the letter-inquiry of former mayor and south district congressman Tomas Osmeña on the propriety and validity of the award the city gave to a “disqualified” contractor in 2013.

“Don’t worry about it. It is now being handled by the city attorney. It has to be replied in a proper manner,” Rama said.

In letter dated October 8, Osmeña said he wants to know why the city awarded the P167.3 million reconstruction project in Barangay Ermita to Geety Realty and Development Corporation. The city awarded the project to the contractor in April that year.

City Attorney Jerone Castillo said Rama has directed him to conduct an in-depth investigation into the matter.

“This is a priority because naa may allegations,” he said.

Osmeña said the contractor’s “track record requirement does not even meet the size and range and license category set by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board to engage in such hefty infrastructure project with the city government.”

Osmeña alleged that the contractor is subject of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Trade and Industry-Legal Service for submitting a “spurious Income Tax Return and Tax Clearance” to support its financial qualifications for 2014 to 2015.

Based on the document Osmeña attached in his letter, the city has already paid over P25 million, which is 15 percent of the total project cost, to the contractor last year.

“May you shed light on this very crucial public concern within 10 days from receipt hereof that may have been caused by gross negligence and/or abuse of authority in the appropriation of the government funds and award of a big project to a disqualified contractor who violated the law,” Osmeña said.

With this, Castillo asked the members and officers of the Bids and Awards Committee in 2013 to explain the processes that the contractor went through.

“We will look into this and we will request the bids and awards committee, its members or officers duly responsible for this award be also made to explain,” he said.

“We will look into the process. It went to the normal processes of bidding. In fact, akong gi-tan-aw diri nga naay documentation, naay notice of award, notice to proceed,” he added.

On March 20, 2013, the city awarded the project to Geety Realty and Development Corp. and the Bids and Awards Committee subsequently issued a Notice to Proceed on April 18, 2013 to the developer.  (FREEMAN)