BUSINESSMAN Crisologo Saavedra wants the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and the bids and awards committee (BAC) on the City Government’s transactions for its supply of equipment and garbage hauling programs.
Saavedra accused Osmeña and BAC members of conniving to award the two contracts for supply of equipment and garbage hauling programs to Pasajero Motors Corp. (Pamocor).
Pamocor is owned by Kasambagan Barangay Captain Franklin Ong, who is a public official.
Saavedra said that this violates Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
But Osmeña said there is nothing wrong with City’s transactions with Pamocor.
Osmeña said that the City’s garbage hauling services underwent a bidding.
“The important thing is there was competition and there was no anomaly. It was not a special grant. He did not take advantage of his position. As a matter of fact, when he lost the second bidding, it was because I disqualified him. Why will I do something that I know is illegal? I’m not crazy,” he said.
Pamocor had two contracts to haul garbage for the City from 2017 to last June.
The City also rents garbage trucks from Pamocor.
Ong, for his part, said he is ready to answer the matter.
“Nobody can stop him (Saavedra) from doing that (filing a case). He is entitled to his opinion and it’s better that he filed that because it’s the proper forum so we can answer that,” he said.