Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat of Liberal Party charged with graft raps for "overpriced" vehicle

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr (ctto)

Ifugao’s District Representative Teodoro “Teddy” Baguilat Jr. was charged by the office of the Ombudsman over the overpriced second-hand vehicle.

During his term as governor in 2003, Baguilat allegedly purchased a vehicle amounting to P900, 000.

The solon was charged before the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan due to violation of Section 3 of the Republic Act 3019 or Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Meanwhile, former provincial budget officer Virginia Farro, former provincial treasurer Samuel Marinay and also private respondent Jose Man Singh- the proprietor of JMS General Merchandise were named as Baguilat’s co-accused on the said case.

According to a report by graft investigation and prosecution officer Ma. Czarina Castro-Altares, a second-hand Isuzu Wagon Trooper was purchased by the Ifugao Provincial Government in 2003.

The said vehicle was purchased from Singh’s JMS merchandise amounting to P900,000.

The Ombudsman said that Baguilat “conspired” with Farro and Marinay in giving “unwarranted benefit, advantage and preference” to JMS merchant.

Provincial government of Ifugao granted JMS merchandise the award without going through a bidding process or without the benefit of competitive public bidding as required under Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

Also, reports said that the Deed of Sale for the vehicle was allegedly executed prior to the preparation of the purchase request and canvass report as well as the issuance of the purchase order.

“the purchase was already negotiated even before the procurement process” started, “thereby causing undue injury to the government.” The ombudsman said.

Baguilat was also charged with violation to Section 3 (g) of RA 3019 since the purchased vehicle was also allegedly overpriced which would undue “injury to the government.”

Source: Philstar