Ombudsman to probe Banilad flyover bidding

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas is looking into the alleged irregularities in the bidding of the controversial Banilad flyover, which is scheduled to start construction tomorrow.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol yesterday ordered a fact-finding investigation based on a text message he received during the weekly anti-graft program he co-hosts over dyLA.

The texter, who requested anonymity, asked the Ombudsman to look into the project because the winning bidder is allegedly not the lowest bidder. Apostol said he wants a swift investigation into the matter to prevent losing government money to corruption.

“Mahimo ba ipasusi sa Ombudsman unsa ka tinuod ang balita nga ang nakadaog sa bidding sa Ban-Tal (Banilad–Talamban) overpass dili lowest bidder. May nag bid sa P87M pero ang nakadaog P157M,” the text message read.

Even without a formal complaint, Apostol immediately directed the fact-finding investigation unit of the Ombudsman-Visayas to look into it.

The Ombudsman is empowered to conduct investigation even in the absence of complainants. In several occasions, the anti-graft body had conducted investigations based on anonymous complaints and even newspaper reports.

Department of Public Works and Highways spokesperson Marie Nillama, however, said she believes that there was nothing irregular in the conduct of the bidding, which was witnessed by some members of the media.

The winning firm, WTG Construction, put up a P86.9 million bid, allegedly the lowest amount from among those who pre-qualified. WTG bested the other bidders that included UKC Builders and the joint ventures of JM Construction and WT Construction.

   WT and JM bid for P90.9 million while UKC Builders’ offer was P93.4 million. Nillama, however, admitted that the contract price awarded to WTG does not cover the whole project because it was only based on how much money was released for the project.

According to Nillama, at least P149 million is needed to complete the project but the government, through the Priority Development Assistance Fund of north district Rep. Raul del Mar, has so far released P74.168 million only.

The flyover project, which is originally intended for Juan Luna Avenue, is seen to solve the traffic congestion in the Banilad-Talamban area. But its critics viewed it otherwise. —  Fred P. Languido/LPM