Rama wants probe results on Arante Construction

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama yesterday ordered the Cebu City Legal Office to speed up its probe on the sub-standard barangay projects that were implemented by Arante Construction in the south district last year.

Rama instructed City Administrator Jose Mari Poblete that he wants City Legal Officer Joseph Bernaldez to submit investigation results within the week.

Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña earlier accused Rama of protecting Arante Construction so no results came out of the investigation conducted by the City Legal Office.

“Nganong pasanginlan man intawon ko nga gitapin-an kining maong kaso nga wala man gani ko makaila nianang Arante. Bisan kausa na lang wala g’yud kami magkakita ug bisan pag-estoryahay wala g’yud, basin sila kaha hinoon,” said Rama. (Why would he accuse me of protecting Arante when I don’t know this person? I haven’t talked to him or seen him. Maybe it is Tomas and Arante who know each other.)

While in the middle of the interview, Rama personally called up Poblete to appear before the reporters to explain why the investigation has been delayed.

Poblete said the personnel of the City Legal Office have several matters to attend to..

Osmeña had requested the officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Manila to investigate the alleged substandard projects that were implemented in the south district barangays and the report was proven true.

Records showed that E.M. Arante Construction got several infrastructure projects in the south district barangays amounting to P156 million and some of them had been found to be substandard.

The P156 million was part of the P200 million worth of infrastructure projects for the south district barangays that were appropriated by the Cebu City Government during the term of Osmeña as mayor.

The Arante Construction, however, has already corrected their deficiencies in some of their projects. — (FREEMAN)