9 Cebu execs axed over building deal

MANILA, Philippines - Nine Cebu City officials have been ordered dismissed from their posts in connection with the anomalous construction of a government building, the Office of the Ombudsman announced yesterday.

Sacked were provincial administrator and bids and awards committee chairman Eduardo Habin and BAC members Bernard Calderon, Marino Martinquilla, Cristina Giango, Adolfo Quiroga, Necias Vicoy Jr., Roy Salubre, Emme Gingoyon and Eulogio Pelayre.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales also disqualified the respondents from holding public office, forfeited their retirement benefits, cancelled their civil service eligibility and barred them from taking the civil service examinations.

The officials’ dismissal stemmed from an administrative case involving the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center in 2006. 

In February 2006, the city government ordered the construction of the building, which would be used as a venue for the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, and awarded the contract to WT Construction Inc.

The Commission on Audit said the city government did not conduct a public bidding, and the project was not covered by a written contract and approved appropriation.

State auditors found out that the P59.6-million procurement cost and the P307-million structural steel works were awarded through negotiated procurement or limited source bidding.

Graft investigators said the BAC officials’ decision to resort to limited source bidding for the supply of air conditioning units worth P26.5 million was made two months after the respondents issued a notice of award.  

Morales said this violated the rules on bidding and action as provided under Republic Act 9184.

She ordered the office of the governor to immediately implement the decision and penalties imposed on the respondents.