Dismissed Southern Leyte Gov Mercado indicted over vehicle purchase

Dismissed Southern Leyte Governor Damian Mercado has been charged with graft before the Sandiganbayan over the alleged anomalous purchase of three second-hand government service vehicles during his term as Maasin City mayor.

Ombudsman prosecutors filed two counts of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Mercado.

Other public respondents are then-City Administrator and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman Crispin Mendoza Arong Jr., City Legal Officer and BAC vice chairman Feorillo Abiera Demeterio Jr., City Engineer Anecito Felicilda Narit, General Service Officer Bejase Quirong Lumen, and Budget Officer Consuelo Segun Ladrera.

According to the prosecution, Mercado and his co-accused, in 2007, conspired with one another in favor of Kojac Auto Repair Shop proprietor Baltazar Avila Jr., the sole private respondent in the case, for the purchase of three service vehicles worth P2.3 million for the local government.

The prosecution said the Kojac received P1.5 million for the sale of an Isuzu Wizard Wagon and a Toyota Grandia on January 10 and P800,000 for a Mitsubishi Pajero on June 20.

It said the transaction pushed through despite violations of the provisions of the Government Procurement Act on the advertising of Invitation to Bid, reference to brand names and allowing the posting of a performance bond upon the contract's signing.

Furthermore, the useful life of the three service vehicles was below the standard of five years as required by Department of Budget and Management Budget Circular No. 446-A.

A bail bond of P30,000 has been recommended for each of the respondents in the case.

The Ombudsman had ordered the dismissal of Mercado last year over the same purchase deal. 

Aside from this case, Mercado is facing falsification charges before the anti-graft court for allegedly "faking" his educational credentials. — MDM, GMA News