MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan sentenced a former Dumaguete City treasurer to 10 years imprisonment for the purchase of an overpriced weighing scale in 1990.
The anti-graft court also ordered the perpetual disqualification of Ofelia Oliva from holding public office for the procurement of an overpriced weighing scale without public bidding.
In a 24-page decision penned by Associate Justice Samuel Martires, the tribunal found that the weighing scale, which cost P130,000, was purchased by the Office of the Market Superintendent in April 1990 through canvassing of prices from Metro Manila suppliers instead of Dumaguete City.
The Sandiganbayan cited the Commission on Audit report that the weighing scale purchased from Joe Bart Enterprises was overpriced by P59,820.
It also found that the weighing scales quoted by the suppliers during the canvass were of different specifications, with Oliva violating the previously existing regulation on personal canvass for items not exceeding P30,000.
The court noted that the weighing scale was of poor workmanship, without serial number, and not Japan-made as per technical specifications.
Oliva alone signed the canvass slip, the court added.
"This act of... Oliva, coupled with her utter disregard of proper procurement procedures, clearly demonstrates bad faith and manifest partiality towards Joe Bart Enterprises...," the decision read.