The scheduled investigation by the Bacolod City Legal Office on the purchase of 10 dump trucks yesterday did not push through as the salesman of Commercial Motors Corp. failed to appear.

City Legal Officer Allan Zamora yesterday said the investigation was supposed to start at 10:30 a.m. yesterday but the legal counsel of Robert Balansag called him up at about 11 a.m. informing him that instead, they will be submitting an affidavit because it would be costly for his client to come to Bacolod.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia had informed CMC last month that the city was recalling the award for the purchase of the vehicles for the use of the Department of Public Services pending the result of an investigation.

Zamora was directed by the mayor to look into the alleged irregularities in the purchase by the city government of the ten six-wheeler dump trucks because of the claims of Balansag that there was “SOP (standard operating procedure)” involved.

The dump trucks (NJ 1038) purchased by the city reportedly costs P750,000 per unit, but because of alleged “SOP” the cost has climbed to P895,000 per unit.

Meanwhile, Zamora said if the Sangguniang Panlungsod wants to invite the department heads or employees of the city, they have to pass through the mayor. It is the mayor who has disciplinary jurisdiction over the employees or department heads, he said.

The department heads and employees, who were invited by the SP to an inquiry on the purchase of the dump trucks last Feb. 26, did not show up. They informed the SP that  invitations to personnel or officials under the Executive Department should, as a courtesy, be coursed through the chief executive.

          Zamora said the SP has no coercive power unlike the Senate and they cannot compel anyone to come. They should pass through the mayor, being the head of the department heads, and this is required by protocol, he said.

           If there is no pending proposed legislation, the SP does not have the authority to call on any officer or employee under the Office of the Mayor for an investigation, he also  earlier said.

Any attempt  by the SP to conduct a “public hearing” on the same subject now being investigated may jeopardize the ongoing probe being conducted by his office, Zamora said.

Councilor Dindo Ramos said the hearing was the collegial decision of the body. This is an inquiry in aid of legislation, he said.*CGS

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