Caterer sues Cebu City over P5M in election meals

CEBU CITY – A catering company filed a civil case against the Cebu City Government and demanded payment for P5.2 million worth of packed meals it served to city employees and officials in October 2010 yet.

City Hall had contracted Cebu Red Carpet Catering Services Inc. to provide meals to city officials and employees who served during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in 2010.

The food, which the City bought on “emergency purchase,” totaled to P5,208,600.

The packed meals were delivered to the Board of Elections Inspectors (BEIs), poll clerks, City Hall and Commission on Elections (Comelec) personnel, policemen and other support staff on October 23, 24 and 25.

But almost two years after the food was consumed, the City Government allegedly has yet to pay the caterer.

Red Carpet lodged a complaint against the City before the Regional Trial Court on Monday.

Red Carpet, represented by Josie Antonette Mirasol Uy, filed the civil case for sum of money against the City.

Mayor Michael Rama and City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva were also named defendants in the case.

Sought for his comment, City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said they will wait for a copy of the complaint so they can answer it appropriately.

In the three-page complaint, Red Carpet, through its lawyer Orpha Casul, said city officials requested her client to provide packed meals during the October 2010 barangay and SK elections.

The letter-request, signed by Oliva and Cebu City Election Officer Edwin Cadungog, stated that the food would be procured through an emergency purchase.

Casul said Red Carpet was also informed that a food chain declined to provide the packed meals after the City failed to make a 50-percent down payment.

Red Carpet accepted the order through credit and delivered the packed meals to City Hall in October 2010.

But Casul said the City failed to pay for the food despite the formal demand to pay sent to City Hall last May 7, 2012.

“Negotiation for payment was initiated after receipt of demand letter but until (this) date, no offer for settlement was made by the defendants despite constant follow-up,” the complaint read.

Casul said the failure of the City to pay Red Carpet caused damage and prejudice to its owners, who failed to use the money for its business.

Casul asked the court to order City Hall to pay Red Carpet P5,208,600, plus 12 percent interest beginning October 2010 until full payment is made. (GMD of Sun.Star Cebu)