THE Office of the Ombudsman has indicted a Bohol mayor for graft for an overpriced P2.5-million multipurpose center built in 2013.
Anda Mayor Angelina Simacio was accused of initiating the construction of the Anda multipurpose building or center that was publicly bid and won by A.S.O. Construction at P2,498,923.50.
The center was funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund of then senator Juan Ponce Enrile.
On Oct. 7, 2013, the Commission on Audit issued an audit observation memorandum, finding the project overpriced by as much as P754,517.36 and recommended the contractor refund the amount to the local government.
“The excessiveness is due to the high labor cost which is higher than the normal and usual practice in construction, and an overestimated quantity of reinforcing steel bars,” the Ombudsman’s decision read.
“This office is convinced that the contract entered into by the LGU with A.S.O. Construction was manifestly disadvantageous to the government. This is regardless of whether A.S.O. Construction indeed refunded the amount of P754,517.36. If anything, the refund is an indication that the contract was truthfully disadvantageous to the government.”
In addition, the “respondent, being the mayor of the local government unit at the time of the execution of the contract, was the head of the procuring entity. She signed the contract, which incorporated the bid documents including the bid prices and bill of quantities and the detailed estimates. Moreover, she caused the disbursement of P2,498,923.50 based on the accomplishment reports submitted by A.S.O. Construction, which she notably approved. Clearly, she is not beyond reproach.”
As far as the administrative case is concerned, Simacio was also found guilty of simple neglect of duty and ordered suspended for three months.
