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[av_heading heading=’Del Rosario mulls case vs Celino before Ombudsman ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY GLENN BEUP
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ROXAS City – Capiz governor Antonio del Rosario said he plans to file a case against Roxas City mayor Angel Alan Celino before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly violating Commission on Audit rules by purchasing secondhand vehicles from “illegitimate” suppliers.
“I will bring this matter to the Ombudsman because that’s what the public wants,” del Rosario said, adding that he will no longer comment on verbal attacks from Celino.
The word war between the two public officials started earlier this month when Celino called del Rosario “lawlaw” (lame) for not getting the Seal of Good Governance, an award that the Department of Interior and Local Government gives to local government units in the country for their noteworthy performances.
Celino’s comment came after del Rosario said the city government must not avail itself of a loan for the construction of a new public market in the city.
Last week, del Rosario accused Celino of bid rigging.
He said S-4 Marketing, the construction firm that was given the Notice of Award for the purchase of materials for the construction of the Roxas City Integrated Transport Terminal in Barangay Lawaan worth P40,769,73.5.25, does not exist.
“Lantawa kag libota nyo ang bilog nga Punta Tabuc kay wala kamo makita nga opisina sang S-4 Marketing,” del Rosario told the press on Dec. 15.
Del Rosario added that S-4 Marketing owner Cena Robosa works with City Administrator Gilbert Tan, also the vice chairman of the city’s Bids and Awards Committee.
The governor said Robosa was just a “dummy.”
Panay News was still trying to reach Tan and Robosa for comment as of press time.
In a radio interview on Dec. 19, Celino denied that he had anything to do with S-4 Marketing.
“Indi na ya akon ang S-4 Marketing. Usisaa ninyo eh kay ang pamilya ko wala ya naga-intra sang transaction sa city hall,” Celino stressed.
Celino added that he did not commit anything wrong when the city purchased secondhand vehicles in 2011 and 2012. He likened the purchase of the vehicles to del Rosario’s acquisition of multicabs when the latter was the representative of the 1st District of Capiz.
“Our gap started after I refused the amount of P3 million out of del Rosario’s PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) to undertake the bidding of multicabs,” Celino said. “Ari diri ang resibo nga ginpabalik ko iya kwarta,” he added.
According to del Rosario, the secondhand vehicles that Celino purchased do not have red registration plates until now, making them unofficial government properties.
This was because their purchase did not follow the proper procedures under Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act, del Rosario added.
The city government spent P9,926,137 for the acquisition of 17 secondhand vehicles, based on documents del Rosario showed the press.
“The multicabs that we acquired were registered with red plates and have undergone public bidding,” the governor said.
Del Rosario added, “My accusations against him (Celino) are documented. He is not holding anything to belie my statement. Indi na ako magpatol sa buang kay kon magpatol ako, damo nga tawo ang nagahambal basi magbuang man ako.”/PN
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