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Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Dumaguete treasurer for overpriced weighing scale


The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former treasurer of Dumaguete City for the procurement of a weighing scale worth P130,000 in 1990 without the requisite public bidding, the Office of the Ombudsman said.
 
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Ombudsman said the Sandiganbayan found former Dumaguete City treasurer Ofelia Oliva guilty of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
 
Section 3 (e) involves, "causing any undue injury to any party, including the government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence."
 
The Sandiganbayan found that the weighing scale was overpriced by P59,820, and was acquired without the requisite public bidding.
 
The weighing scale was "requisitioned by the Office of the Market Superintendent in April 1990 through canvassing of prices from Metro Manila suppliers instead of Dumaguete City," it said.
 
The anti-graft court also noted that the weighing scale was of  "poor workmanship, without serial number, and not Japan-made as per technical specifications."
 
It also found that Oliva solely signed the canvass slip, without representatives  from the City Mayor and Sangguniang Panlungsod.
 
"This act of accused Oliva, coupled with her utter disregard of proper procurement procedures, clearly demonstrates bad faith and manifest partiality towards Joe Bart Enterprises, thus giving the latter unwarranted benefits, advantage and preference through the purchase of overpriced fabricated weighing scale and ultimately causing injury to Dumaguete City," the Ombudsman, quoting the Sandiganbayan decision, said.
 
The anti-graft court has sentenced Oliva to imprisonment ranging from six years and one month as maximum to 10 years as maximum, with perpetual disqualification to hold public office. — Amanda Fernandez/RSJ, GMA News
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