Computer case full of malice – Radaza
Embattled Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza maintained his innocence in an alleged P23 million computer scam and found two allies in the wife and son of his predecessor.
Radaza, named respondent along with several others in a questioned P23,476,500 purchase of 470 computers, has filed on May 8 a 34-page counter-affidavit with the Office of the Ombudsman claiming the allegations of overpricing were untrue and a figment of the imagination of his accusers.
The purchases were regular and above-board and done with no malice and bad faith, Radaza told the Ombudsman.
Interestingly, his counter-affidavit contained separate affidavits filed by Paz and Mark Steven Weigel, wife and son, respectively of former
Paz and Mark Steven Weigel twitted Pelaez for picturing himself as having given favors to the late mayor Weigel when, according to them, it was the other way around.
In separate two-page affidavits dated October 15, 2007, which form part of Radaza’s counter-affidavit, the Weigels claimed that when then mayor Ernest Weigel died, he left his family original copies of stock certificates that Pelaez reportedly used to negotiate a repurchase of stocks in a partnership at only P500,000 instead of what should have been P1.5 million.
They also said that the repurchase was paid in three checks and that at least one of them bounced.
Pelaez, asked to comment on the entry of the Weigels into the picture, said he is not surprised by the development at all.
He also belittled their affidavits, saying they had nothing to do with the case at hand.
“ They can say anything about me on anything. The Weigels are politcial allies of Radaza. They have been enjoying favors from Radaza. Why are they coming out at this late stage? Well, it could be because of family secrets, ” Pelaez said. September last year, Pelaez, through Coralpoint Educational Foundation where he sits as president, charged Radaza before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged dishonesty in violation of RA 9184 or the Government Reform Procurement Act and for conspiracy with private respondents in relation with the allegedly overpriced purchase of 470 computers and accessories.
According to Pelaez, Radaza accepted delivery and paid for the computers at P49,900 each despite their allegedly being inferior.
Pelaez also said 30 of the computers were for public schools in islets that do not have electrical services.
But Radaza countered that while some of the computer were indeed bound for some islets, the city government has made complementary purchases of generating sets to allow the computers to function.
Radaza said whatever defects there were were temporary and were promptly rectified and that the all the computers later passed technical specifications and are now functioning properly and satisfactorily.
“ In fact, their capability and efficiency are faster and far better than what was ordered or originally conceived. Therefore, instead of being shortchanged, the city instead benefited therefrom. To attribute the contract with Kein Enterprises as grossly disadvantageous is actually untrue, “ Radaza explained to the Ombudsman.
Radaza blasted Pelaez for the “ extraordinary haste “ with which the businessman filed his complaint without even waiting for auditors to finish their report, indicating malice and bad faith on the businessman.
Radaza said that if there is one who should be more concerned with alleged irregularities in the purchase, it should be the Commission on Audit and not Pelaez.
He said that in the absence of any referral by the COA pursuant to its rules of procedure, the alleged conspiracy to commit overpricing is effectively negated.
Claiming that Pelaez is not exactly the civic-minded citizen he portrays himself to be, Radaza accused Pelaez of alleged tax evasion and of allegedly occupying city-owned properties without compensation.
Radaza, in a separate press statement, claims Pelaez owes the City of Lapu-Lapu nearly P4 million in back taxes.
Aside from Radaza, others impleaded in the case are city attorney Vincent Joseph Lim, city administrator Teodulo Ybañez, assistant city engineer Fernando Tagaan, city budget officer Victoria Andoy, city treasurer Elena Pacaldo, legal officer Michael Dignos, Maria Guiao of the procurement office, and technical working group members Cipriano Flores, Maribeth Sorono, Rogelio Veloso, Sharon Baguio, Buenaventura Igot and Jerico Mercado.
Likewise included are Leandro Dante, Ernesto Imbong and Rogaciano Tampos, inspectors at the Office of the City Accountant, Treasurer and General Services Office, respectively, as well as former
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