Monday, November 12, 2007 Seares: Sins in name of Summit By Pachico A. Seares News Sense
HOW many sins were committed in the name of the 12th Asean Summit, which the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, with Cebu Province, hosted last January?
An awful lot, says the Commission on Audit (COA) annual report on the Department of Public Works & Highways (DPWH).
COA has ordered DPWH to “show cause” for violating the law when it implemented 136 projects worth a whopping P1.525 billion.
Shunning procurement law, DPWH adopted a “deal-or-no-deal” system which made cash-piling much easier than in the TV show. No bidding and in some cases, work started with no contract or fund source.
DPWH did it all in the name of god Summit. Pride of Cebu and country was at stake.
And most of the big spenders cut corners and tossed rules out the window. Lapu-Lapu City Council declared a public calamity to tap emergency funds. DPWH maintenance work was re-labeled Summit-related.
COA is clear: Summit didn’t qualify as exception to the rules, which is to prevent loss of, or threat on, life or property.
Unpatriotic
When media aired misgivings, public officials bristled, as if it were unpatriotic and heretic to talk about protecting public funds amid the preparations.
Exploding scandals inevitably tainted Summit success. In the public mind, Summit icon of 10 sampaguita flowers has been crowded out by a revolting image of obscenely priced street lamps.
COA reports only of violation of the law. It still has to measure extent of fraud and loss and identify perpetrators.
Yet, with government’s dismal record in probing graft, total money wasted may never be known or the plunderers punished.
