Maliksi: Ombudsman cited wrong law

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Ombudsman cited the wrong law when it indicted former Cavite governor Irineo “Ayong” Maliksi for the alleged anomalous purchase of P2.5 million worth of medicine in 2003, a statement from his camp said yesterday.

The statement noted that Republic Act 9184, or the procurement law that requires public bidding, was not yet in place when the alleged questionable purchase was made. 

RA 9184 took effect only on Jan. 26, 2003, it said.  

“At that time, the local government unit is allowed by Executive Order 40 to use alternative modes of procurement such as…negotiated procurement whenever the goods are to be used in connection with a project which cannot be delayed,” the statement said. 

The statement also noted that the complaint filed by former vice governor Jonvic Remulla in 2005 was “politically motivated and borne out of sheer his desire to wrest the capitol from the former governor.”   

The statement questioned the revival of a nine-year-old case against Maliksi, saying it violates his constitutional right to speedy disposition of cases.