"Minsan po kasi Bokal ay may mga pagkakataon na gusto ng ating mahal na Punong Lalawigan na masimulan na ang project, medyo nasunod po kami kahit medyo wala pa sa oras ay napagawa na namin. MINSAN PO AY MALI TALAGA ANG PROSESO".
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| Marinduque Capitol Building. Photo: Jeff Ponce |
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Marinduque on April 20, 2015, adopted a Resolution (626-2015) appropriating the amount of P 7-million for "Repair and Restoration of Heritage Building". which was later changed to "Improvement of Old Capitol Building (Repair of Roofing and SP Office).
Inviting officials from the PEO during a provincial board session held on July 24, 2015, Board member George D. "JT" Alino stood to clarify matters. According to Engr. Rodil Leal and Engr. Edelito Mercene (PEO), "the project is under a build-and-design/straight contract and the papers relative thereto are still at the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)".
Alino asked how come the project is already under implementation, which presumes it has already been awarded to a winning bidder/contractor even as the pertinent documents are still with the BAC as stated by the engineers?
Engr. Mercene readily admitted irregularities on the implementation of said projects stating, on record, as follows, thus:
"Minsan po kasi Bokal ay may mga pagkakataon na gusto ng ating mahal na Punong Lalawigan na masimulan na ang project, medyo nasunod po kami kahit medyo wala pa sa oras ay napagawa na namin. MINSAN PO AY MALI TALAGA ANG PROSESO".
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| Marinduque board member, George 'JT' Alino |
Thus the project was implemented and continues to be implemented without the bidding process in violation of RA 9184 (Govt Procurement Reform Act). On the other hand, such acts committed by local officials and employees are also violative of RA 3019 Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and those concerned are liable for abuse of authority under the local government code.
Alino requested on August 3rd the SP Committee on Blue Ribbon "to conduct necessary investigation on the obvious irregularities in the repair of the PPDO Office (Old SP Office)" the ongoing improvements of which are at issue.
Now, does anyone expect anything to come out of such "investigation on the obvious irregularities"?
There are just oh, too many previous irregularities at the provincial capitol according to the Commission on Audit (COA) itself as clearly stated in its official reports for the Calendar Years 2013 and now 2014, published in its own website, mainstream media and even here and here.
So, you ask, how come nothing happens to those who commit such violative acts as if they're above the law - and therefore couldn't be touched? It looks like nothing really happens in going after those responsible.
What we see is a continued, seemingly wanton desire of the notoriously corrupt ones to let the whole world know that, indeed, it simply pays to be notoriously corrupt, and that corruption is the norm in the Heart of the Philippines!
It's just another 'fertilizer scam'!