THE Office of the Ombudsman has found probable cause to indict a former town mayor in Zamboanga del Norte for graft and corruption.
Former Siayan town mayor Wilfrido Siasico is set to face trial for violation of the anti-graft and corrupt practices act or Republic Act 3019 for acquiring a brand new bulldozer worth P15.892 million without going through a proper bidding.
The Ombudsman based its decision on a Commission on Audit complaint that the former mayor purchased the bulldozer in 2008 from Monark Equipment Corporation without undertaking any public bidding and publication.
Further, the Ombudsman said, Siasico as "the local chief executive, is not only expected to know the procedure in procurement, but most importantly, obliged to follow it."
"It was without regard to the high position [Siasico] occupied which imposed him with great responsibilities and obliged him to be more circumspect in the discharge of his duties.
"As a result of his deliberate unlawful action, the municipality was deprived of the opportunity to acquire the best possible product at the most reasonable price which could have been achieved had a competitive bidding been conducted," the Ombudsman said. (KVC)