Bacolod Councilor Dindo Ramos yesterday said there are concerns that the inquiry of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on the purchase of 10 dump trucks for the city’s Solid Waste Management program may end up with results conflicting with those of the investigation to be conducted by the City Legal Office.

Ramos said he met yesterday with Councilors Greg Gasataya and Al Victor Espino, who chair the committees on Environment and Finance, respectively, to find out the real intention of the SP in conducting the inquiry considering that the City Legal Office will also conduct an investigation.

Ramos, chairman of the Committee on Laws, Ordinances and Good Government, was not present when the SP passed Wednesday a resolution authorizing the Committees on Environment, Public Works, and Finance and Appropriation, and his committee to conduct a formal inquiry on the matter.

The SP also passed a resolution requesting the Bids and Awards Committee to submit a report on the purchase of the 10 vehicles, and another one asking for documents related to it.

City Legal Officer Allan Zamora had earlier been tasked by Mayor Evelio Leonardia to look into the allegations of a salesman of Commercial Motors Corporation that there was a “standard operating procedure” involved in the transaction. He was given 30 days from the start of the investigation to submit his findings.

Leonardia also wrote the supplier Tuesday informing them that the city is recalling the award for the purchase of the 10 dump trucks pending the result of the investigation.

Ramos said the concern of the CLO is to determine who is liable, if there is any, and to mete the proper administrative penalty, which could either be suspension or dismissal from the service. He said the SP can only conduct an investigation in aid of legislation and can recommend to the Mayor through a resolution, or through an ordinance, its sentiment so the interest of the city will be safeguarded in the conduct of biddings.

He said he supports the collegial decision of the SP to conduct an inquiry, and hopes they could meet with the Vice Mayor and all those involved for clarification on the real intention of the SP.*CGS

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