CEBU -- Talisay City Mayor Johnny de los Reyes and his son, John Yre, are facing a graft complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas over the allegedly excessive purchase of a P3.5-million rescue vehicle last year.
Loreto Bonete, who said he was a taxpayer from Barangay Tabunok, filed the administrative complaint accusing the mayor and his son of violating Republic Act (RA) 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees) and RA 3019 (The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
[REPLAY] Talisay City Mayor Johnny delos Reyes ug anak niini gikasohan.
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Bonete attached to his complaint a three-page audit observation memorandum on the “excessive” purchase of the rescue vehicle in 2013.
State auditor Ma. Daisy Bercede had called the attention of the City Government for purchasing a rescue vehicle for a price that went beyond the agency’s estimate.
In an interview on Wednesday, Mayor de los Reyes refused to comment on the complaint, saying he would rather wait until he receives a copy of it.
De los Reyes admitted, however, that he knew the complainant, who ran for the city council on his ticket, when he ran for mayor in 2007.
“Ako mao’y nigasto ana niya sa dihang nidagan na siya ug konsehal (I spent for his campaign when he ran for the council),” de los Reyes said. He plans to file counter-charges against Bonete.
The new 4x4 pickup truck cost Talisay City P3.5 million.
The vehicle, a JAC Stallion, was purchased from D’ Limitless Vehicle Ventures Corp. and came with an outboard motor, rubber boat and other rescue equipment and accessories. The vehicle is currently being used by the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
While state auditors found the vehicle in good condition during an inspection last January, they also found discrepancies in its price evaluation.
The pickup and its accessories, COA said, were priced 32.30 percent above COA’s cost evaluation.
State auditor Bercede said that the City Government could have saved money if it had chosen other brands such as a Toyota Hi-Lux, which would have cost P2.6 million.
Based on its analysis, COA concluded that the City Government had spent an excess amount of P780,500 for the vehicle.
Bercede also questioned the payment of P175,000 for a lifetime warranty on service and parts, when the vehicle was still covered by its warranty.
Especially designed
Given these findings, COA recommended to the City Government to collect the P780,500.
Bercede also recommended to the City Government to direct those who inspect and evaluate goods to exercise due care and diligence to “avoid paying excessive contract cost.”
Interviewed last May, John Yre, the city administrator who also acted as the bids and awards committee chair, denied the purchase was excessive.
He said the vehicle cost P3.5 million as it was specifically designed to withstand different terrains, including being submerged in water six feet deep.
He also said the City chose the supplier that allowed modifications to the vehicle’s body to prevent water from entering the engine.
Though it cost them P550,000 for the body fabrication, de los Reyes said that if they had chosen other brands, the suppliers would not have assured that the vehicle would have the same features as what the winning supplier had offered.
He also that aside from the unique body fabrication, the deal came with an outboard motor, rubber boat, cut-off machine, bolt cutter, chainsaw, fire extinguishers, two life jackets, a circular saw and a 12-pound winch. (With JKV/Sun.Star Cebu)
Talisay City, Cebu Mayor Johnny de los Reyes, son John face graft rap | Sun.Star
Cebu mayor, son face graft rap
Originally Posted by MaInEvEnT
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