PB honors deals entered into by suspended gov

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has ratified two contracts entered into by suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

One contract involved the purchase of 26 Sinotruk-JK67758 tourist buses of ConEquip Philippines amounting to P67.5 million while the other is with DK Jocson Construction for the construction of the new building of the National Bureau of Investigation in Sudlon Lahug, Cebu City, amounting to P1.5 million.

During the execution of the contract, Garcia reportedly did not secure the requisite authority from the PB, hence the contract is considered ultra vires.

“In order to cure the defect in the execution of the contract, there is a need to ratify the same through legislative ratification,” said PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy who sponsored the resolution for the ratification.

He was co-sponsored by board members Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. and Joven Mondigo Jr.

Last June 4, 2012, Garcia entered into a contract with ConEquip Philippines represented by its managing director Ralph Clinton Tio for the supply and delivery of 26 medium 35-seater Sinotruk mini-buses to be awarded to top-performing local government units in the implementation of its expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGWEN) Program.

The top 10 e-GWEN performers are Medellin, Barili, San Francisco, Tabuelan, Liloan, Oslob, Carcar City, Danao City, Alegria and Argao.

Other recipients of the tourist buses were the cities of Talisay, Naga, Toledo and the towns of Sibonga, Dumanjug, Alcantara, Moalboal, Malabuyoc, Boljoon, Alcoy, Dalaguete, Asturias, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Bantayan and Madridejos.

Also last year, Garcia also entered into contract with the winning contractor of the new NBI building offered by the Capitol at the province-owned lot in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

The property and the building shall continue to be owned by the province.  –/BRP (FREEMAN)