Tuesday, May 08, 2007 Speak out: Non-selective justice By Maria Miranda
(This letter is addressed to Hon. Virginia Santiago, OIC, Office of the Deputy Ombdusman for the Visayas)
I appeal to your sense of fairness on the investigation of the overpriced sidewalk lamps installed during the Asean summit.
Most conservative estimates placed the value of each lamp at P5,000 and the installation thereon at P10,000. All told, P15,000 total cost is conservative. Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City overpriced the lamps by over P100,000 and their mayors have been rightfully suspended.
How about Cebu City? There are over 700 of such lamps priced at P85,000. These lamps are still overpriced by at least P70,000 and city officials agreed to their installation. Why is there no investigation on Cebu City when the overpricing (albeit lower) is very potent?
Honorable Ombudsman Santiago, please be fair to everyone. Justice should not be selective. Please investigate Tomas Osmeña and his cohorts on the matter.
