P17.5-M truck deal collapses

CEBU CITY — Unable to determine the true condition of five "new " dump trucks the city had purchased for P17.5 million, Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered the other day a rebidding for the purchase, which had the effect of canceling the sale.

There was no immediate reaction from Pasajero Motors Corp., the dealer of the Hino trucks the city had bought, about the cancellation of the sale.

The condition of the trucks generated controversy when Cebu City Transport Commission chief Rene Plarisan, an engineer of 17 years, insisted that the trucks were not brand-new after detecting some "defects" and could therefore, be surplus vehicles.

This prompted General Services Office chief Rolando Ardosa, the city property custodian, to refuse to accept delivery of the trucks, saying the contract had been very specific that the trucks must be brand-new. — Freeman News Service