Brgy secretary sues ex-mayor for “overpriced” auditorium

CEBU, Philippines - A barangay secretary in Pinamungajan town has filed complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against former mayor Geraldine Yapha following report of an alleged overpriced auditorium project.

Jose Gilson Fedrequilan, barangay secretary of Pandacan, Pinamungajan has filed a complaint for a violation of anti-graft and corrupt practices act against Yapha and the former chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Sheila Faciol.

“Upon review and evaluation by the Commission on Audit (COA) of the said contract agreement, an audit observation was then made by COA on October 9, 2013. In the said audit observation, it was discovered that the amount of the contract agreement was overpriced by P4,334,276.28,” the complaint reads.

Thus, Fedrequilan said the respondents violated the law for entering a contract agreement with Linear Construction Corporation for the planning, design, construction/rehabilitation of Pinamungajan Auditorium which is “manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government.”

Reportedly, the auditorium was constructed and completed under the administration of Yapha. The cost of the project was P19,915,992.12.

However, the Audit Observation Memorandum issued by State Auditor IV Flora Taborada states that the cost of the project was above the COA’s allowable cost of P15,581,645.84 resulting to “excessive” contract cost by P4.3 million.

Fedrequilan said that based on the COA report, there was an overpricing of materials used for the painting works and over-estimated quantity of materials for the concrete work.

“Clearly then, the contract agreement entered by then mayor Yapha on behalf of the municipality of Pinamungajan with Linear Construction Corporation was manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the government. In fact, the contract price was 40.60 percent above the COA’s Cost Evaluation,” the complaint further reads.

Taborada in his letter to Mayor Glenn Baricuatro requires the persons “identified liable” to refund the excessive contract coast of P4.3 million.

Based on the COA Resolution No. 91-52 dated Sept. 21, 1991 it provides that the contract cost should be equal or less than the COA estimates plus 10 percent thereof, otherwise the contract cost is deemed excessive.

Yapha cannot be reached on her mobile phone when The FREEMAN tried to get her side.— /GMR (FREEMAN)