ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE, Philippines — A former mayor and the incumbent vice mayor of Labason, Zamboanga del Norte may spend up to 12 years in prison in connection with the municipal government’s anomalous purchase of a vehicle in 2011.
Former mayor Wilfredo Balais and Virgilio Go, also the vice mayor at the time, were found guilty of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Sandiganbayan’s Sixth Division said in a decision promulgated on Nov. 29.
Balais and Go were sentenced to six to 12 years in prison and perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
“The prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that there was no public bidding for the procurement of the... vehicle,” the court decision read.
“Although competitive bidding was purportedly conducted, the same was riddled with irregularities,” the decision read.
Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2015, the case stemmed from the purchase of a Nissan Patrol from Eduardo Ayunting for P960,000.
The court said investigation showed that the vehicle was previously owned by Balais before it was supposedly sold to Ayunting for only P500,000.
The prosecution said Balais executed a deed of sale, but there was no actual payment made to Ayunting and the vehicle remained in the possession of the former mayor.
Go issued the purchase request dated Jan. 7, 2011, which led to the supposed bidding for the purchase of the vehicle.
The anti-graft court said Ayunting’s Oro Cars Display Center and two other prospective bidders did not submit the pre-bid requirements, such as a security bond, technical specifications of the vehicle, tax clearance and audited financial statements.
“The so-called bidding is nothing but a sham. Balais... immediately issued the notice of award to Oro Cars,” the court said.
The sixth division said Balais and Go could not escape criminal liability even though the contract was eventually rescinded. “The return of the funds to the LGU (local government unit) of Labason will not negate the damage caused... and unwarranted benefits given to Oro Cars,” it added.