Thursday, April 19, 2007 Road repairs provoke charge
MEDELLIN Vice Mayor Ricardo Ramirez III accused Mayor Manreza Lim of violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) ban on infrastructure projects by allegedly pushing through with the repairs of various roads during the campaign period.
Ramirez and Lim used to be in one party but the two now belong to two clashing groups.
Ramirez is running for mayor with former Provincial Board (PB) member Michael Miranda as running mate under the group of Martinez’s family. Lim is running for vice mayor after her three terms and has PB Member Joven Mondigo as mayoral candidate under Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s party.
Ramirez, in his complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, said that Lim violated the Local Government Code when she entered into contracts for various road repair projects without the Municipal Council’s approval.
Approval needed
Ramirez narrated that Lim called for a bidding last February 16 but had two failed biddings since then, so decided to enter into a negotiated contract with Gowil Builders.
He cited Section 369: “In cases where public biddings failed for two consecutive times and no suppliers have qualified to participate or win in the biddings, local government units may, through the local chief executive, undertake the procurement of supplies by negotiated purchase regardless of amount, without public bidding, provided however, that the contract covering the negotiated purchase shall be approved by the sanggunian concerned.”
Sun.Star Cebu called Lim’s office early yesterday morning, but a member of her staff refused to put her on the phone, saying the mayor was still signing documents. Her phone was already busy when Sun.Star placed several calls until afternoon.
Ramirez’s complaint focuses on the road repair works in Barangays Kawit, Caputatan Norte, Mahawak and Maharuhay.
Moreover, he alleged that Lim again called for a bidding last March 29 for other road rehabilitation projects and the winning bidder for all the projects was still Gowil Builders. (JPM)
