Margot to COA: Review basketball uniform contract

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (COA) is urged to look into the legality of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama’s spending of close to P2 million for the purchase of 6,000 sets of basketball uniforms.

Councilor Margot Osmeña has asked city auditor Cymbeline Celia Uy to look into the transaction believing that it is for political purpose. In her letter to Uy dated April 18, Osmeña also questioned the charging of the expenses from other offices for “other supplies and materials-programs and other activities” under the Office of the Mayor.

The documents show that Angel Sports Wear won in the bidding for the supply of the 6,000 sets of basketball uniforms amounting to P1,999,750. The uniforms are intended for the different barangays having basketball tournament.

The funds for the uniforms were charged against the allocated budgets for the Private Sector Organizations Evaluation and Monitoring Program; Coastline Management Board; Cooperative Development Program; Anti-Squatting and Demolition Program; City Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Team; Office of the Senior Citizens; Comprehensive Land Use Plan; and Operational Budget for City Development Council.

Osmeña believes that the needed budget for the purchase of basketball uniforms cannot be charged to the accounts that have specific purpose.

“The undersigned respectfully requests from your office to conduct a review on the said procurement and to furnish me with a copy of your findings,” Osmeña asked the city auditor. – (FREEMAN)