Taytay mayor clarifies purchase of firetruck

TAYTAY, Rizal , Philippines – Shopping for the cheapest equipment does not always seem to merit commendation, even if it appears advantageous to the government.

Thus felt this town’s mayor, Joric Gacula, who is facing charges for the purchase of a firetruck, which he said was bought at a price way below the prevailing rates in the local market.

The STAR earlier reported that the Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the filing of charges against Gacula for the purchase of an Isuzu Elf firetruck for P675,000, which it said was overpriced, in 2005.

But Gacula said in a statement that the prevailing price of firetrucks with similar specifications then was between P5 million and P7.5 million.

He said a check with Ramsan Estanislao of Arayem Trade showed that similar firetrucks cost P5 million for an eight-tunnel firetruck, and a firetruck equipped with a foam mixer, some P7.5 million.

Estanislao owns Arayem Trade, which supplies firetrucks both to the government and privately funded fire brigades, he said.

Gacula expressed optimism that the Office of the Ombudsman, with all its investigations, would soon find out the truth behind the case.

He added that what they actually got was a “best buy,” considering the firetruck’s capabilities and cost.

“I find it very strange how we end up facing charges for a grossly advantageous deal for the government. I am, however, very confident that the Office of the Ombudsman, after its investigation, would see the real twist behind the filing of the case,” he said.

Legal parameters

Gacula said the request for the firetruck even came from a village chief “from the other side of his political fence.”

He said the firetruck was bought by the municipal government in 2005 upon the request of then Barangay Muzon chairman Efren Cruz Jr.

Further check revealed that it was also Cruz himself who allegedly facilitated the purchase of the firetruck.

Gacula said the purchase followed all legal parameters of the bids and awards committee and was covered by a clearance from the Commission on Audit, which sees to it that government funds are spent wisely.

“I have always believed in the objectivity and fairness of the Office of the Ombudsman. Even without lifting a finger, I am fully confident that they would be able to see political color in this rare case where a grossly advantageous deal merits charges instead of commendation,” he said.

He said the case stemmed from a complaint filed by one Armando Carlos, a former administrative aide of former major Jojo Zapanta and one Eliseo Cruz, a dismissed barangay employee.

He said Cruz is known to be a political leader of Jun Cabitac, a mayoral candidate in the May 2007 elections. Zapanta and Cabitac both lost to Gacula in the mayoral race.