Labella wants brgy officials reoriented on procurement law

CEBU, Philippines - Lack of knowledge about the law may have been the reason 41 barangay officials in Cebu City are facing graft and corruption charges.

"I notice it was for the lack of knowledge on the part of barangay officials…some, has, on the mechanics of procurement process," Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said yesterday on the move of barangay officials from Bonbon, Kalunasan, Babag, Inayawan, Suba, Sudlon II and Pamutan to award certain projects to one contractor.

 "The case, which is for the alleged violation of RA 3019, as amended, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, stems from the award of the Community Micro-Assistance Program  infrastructure projects to one and the same contractor, the EM Arrante construction," Labella said.

 Because of this, Labella said there is a need to orient barangay officials on Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

 "Most of the respondents in the said case, their indictment was mainly due to their unfamiliarity with the rules of public bidding under the amended procurement law,' he said.

 The law provides for the modernization, standardization and regulation of the procurement activities of the government and for other purposes.

 Labella has asked Association of Barangay Councils President Phillip Zafra to orient the barangays officials about the law, especially those who are members of the Bids and Awards Committees.

 "In view of the foregoing and to obviate similar cases in the future, may I suggest that my office, together with the ABC, undertake a training/orientation seminar for our barangay officials or members of the barangay BAC on the rules of procurement under RA 9184," Labella stated in his letter to Zafra.

Labella said the concerned barangay officials received the subpoena from the Office of the Ombudsman only recently and have approached him for help. The barangay officials are still sitting officials after they were reelected in the latest barangay polls.  (FREEMAN)