Capitol may remove covers of notebooks

SCHOOL supplies worth P19.3 million that have on their covers images of Capitol officials can still be distributed in the province if the covers are removed. That is one option.

In a letter to State Auditor Eva Cabrera, Eva Encabo of the Provincial General Services Office wrote: “At present, we are trying to explore all possibilities… to continue and complete the distribution of these items to the recipient end-users with utmost emphasis to veer from violating DILG Memorandum Circular 2010-101.”

The Commission on Audit (COA) declared that the school kits cannot be distributed unless the names and images of elected officials on the front and back covers are removed.

The school kits will also be affected by a Commission on Elections (Comelec) prohibition when the local campaign period starts on March 29.

Liability

Provincial Election Officer Ferdinand Gujilde cited Section 1 of Comelec Resolution 9615 that a material will be considered election propaganda if it contains an image associated with the candidate intended to draw public attention and to directly or indirectly promote the candidate.

The audit observation memorandum (AOM) also recommended finding the officials responsible for the procurement “liable up to the amount of damage that the Provincial Government will sustain if the items could not be distributed because of the violations.”

They are Marivic Garces, former chairperson of the bids and awards committee-goods and services and Bernard Calderon, former acting Provincial General Services Office head.

The AOM was forwarded to the two officials, who have five working days upon receipt to comment on it.

The schools kits intended for school year 2012-2013 that remained undelivered as of last October is 71 percent of the total number of kits supplied by two winning bidders, Crismark General Merchandize and Prince Warehouse Club.