Negros Occidental mayor, 6 others face graft raps

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas has found probable cause to indict a town mayor in Negros Occidental and six others for failure to conduct a public bidding on a government project worth P250,000.

The project, which was for the repair and improvement of a Rural Health Unit, was implemented in 2008 allegedly without a public bidding, according to complainant Larry Concepcion.

In the 19-page Ombusdman resolution, a copy of which was furnished to the members of the media Friday, graft and prosecution officer Sarah Jo Vergara recommended for the indictment of Valladolid town Mayor Romel Yogore; Municipal Agriculturist Giovanni Robles, also the chair of the bids and awards committee; Municipal Engineer and BAC member Ernesto Genobis; cashier II and BAC member Daisy Galve; accounting clerk II and BAC member Merlene Magbanua; and proprietor Jonie Nieve of JB Nieve Hardware and Construction Supply for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The Ombudsman, however, dismissed the same charges against Municipal Accountant Cherryl Aguirre, Municipal Treasurer Lilian Española and Executive Assistant Arnaldo Virgo for no probable cause.

The resolution said the procurement of the project was done through shopping, and should have been done through competitive bidding. 

In the respondents' counter affidavit, they admitted there was no public bidding conducted on the procurement. They however explained that they resorted to shopping mode after Provincial Budget Officer Percival Salado Jr. assured them that the municipal government was allowed to resort to such act and make small value procurement up to the amount of P250,000.

Further, the respondents claimed that the allegations hurled against them were political harassment and retaliation from the complainant, who is a local mediaman, after he was charged for libel by the respondent mayor.

Meanwhile, the complainant insisted the transaction was questionable because the owner of the construction supply firm is the husband of  Maritess Yogore, the mayor's sister.  (FREEMAN)