Ex-Iloilo mayor faces raps for ‘rigged’ bidding of infra projects

The former mayor of Santa Barbara, Iloilo is facing criminal cases before the Sandiganbayan for allegedly rigging the bidding of five infrastructure projects in favor of two construction companies.

Based on the charge sheet, the Office of the Ombudsman charged Isabelo Maquino with one count each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and violation of Section 65(b)(3) of the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Co-accused of Maquino are then-Bids and Awards Committee members Lyndofer Beup, Noel Jaspe, Ma. Negenia Araneta and Sanny Apuang.

Topmost Development and Marketing Corporation (TDMC) president Raymund Tabuga and F. Gurrea Construction Inc. (FGCI) president Felix Gurrea were also named as private respondents.

Maquino and his co-accused allegedly conspired when they "willfully, unlawfully and criminally" caused the damage and prejudice of public interest when they rigged the bidding of the municipality's infrastructure projects in 2006 in favor of sister companies TDMC and FCGI.

The project involves the concreting of Libertad and Arroyo streets, asphalt overlaying of Castilla Street, concreting of Sodusta Street, asphalting of Arroyo Street in front of the public market, and the construction of the Fish Section Building.

The Ombudsman said Maquino and his co-accused withdrew some of the bids earlier submitted to make the two sister companies the sole winning bidders and ensure that the contracts are awarded to them.

The Ombudsman said the unwarranted benefits given to TDMC and FGCI caused the municipality of Santa Barbara "undue injury for having been deprived of the most advantageous terms for the projects."

A total bail bond of P60,000 has been recommended for each of the accused. —ALG, GMA News