Bucao denies conflict of interest in janitorial contract with city hall

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao defended himself from criticisms on his alleged conflict of interest for having a janitorial contract with the city government.

Bucao's janitorial company, Perfect Clean General Services, which is managed by his wife, Marietta, was awarded janitorial services contract of the city.

"What conflict of interest are they talking? There is no conflict of interest here," Bucao said.

Bucao explained that his company declined to participate in the pre-bidding and bidding conferences because of criticisms from his political opponents.

However, Mayor Socrates Fernandez and Edgar Banunay, chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee, asked him to continue participating because there is no other janitorial company that offers a lower bid price.

He added that his company has also been doing business with the city government since 2005 when he was yet in the opposition.

The city is paying P660,609.20 yearly to Bucao's janitorial services for providing eight janitors working for six days a week.

Bucao added that his company joined a competitive public bidding as mandated under Section 10 of R.A. 9184 otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act.

He said the Office of the Ombudsman already rendered an opinion that there is no criminal and administrative liability on his part because he is not a member of the BAC.

"Such unfounded accusations have unfairly stained the credibility of PCGS and those professionals behind its operations," said Marietta, PCGS, general manager.

Vice mayoralty candidates Aberdovey Belleza and Romeo Villarante have been criticizing Bucao in their campaign sorties for allegedly taking advantage of his position. — /FPL (FREEMAN)