Monday, January 14, 2008 Ombudsman to review COA findings on park By Carlo P. Mallo
THE Office of the Ombudsman-Mindanao will also be looking into the alleged overpricing in the construction of the People's Park.
Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Humphrey Monteroso said Friday his office will review whatever findings the auditing team of Commission on Audit (COA) would come up with after its investigation.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte himself has called for an investigation into the park's construction before taking an indefinite leave so as not to influence the investigation.
Monteroso said City Administrator Wendell Avisado has provided the office of the Deputy Ombudsman with a copy of the City Government's request for the COA to look into the matter.
COA has already formed a technical committee that will review the P72 million spent on the park. The inquiry will cover the expenses incurred for labor, materials, and the procurement of the trees and plants used inside the park.
The city government has maintained that the trees in the park were donated by some prominent families of Davao City like the family of lawyer-industrialist Jesus V. Ayala, who chaired the Regional Development Council for more than 20 years.
Alleged overpricing in the construction of the park was reportedly one of the many subjects tackled by the late broadcaster Fernando "Batman" Lintuan who was shot dead in the morning of December 24.
