THE Office of the City Mayor expressed elation over the passage of the resolution authorizing the city mayor to award the controversial Magsaysay project to a contractor on the basis of a committee report submitted by Councilor Teofilo Guadiz III but was careful not to be perceived as gloating over its triumph against Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez.

This was pointed out by City Administrator Rafael Baraan as members of the city council were divided amid a “conflict of interest” issue between the legislative and the executive branches over the city mayor’s determination to proceed with the development of Magsaysay Park.

Baraan said the executive department was extremely pleased with the committee report of Councilor Guadiz, chairman of the committee on laws and ordinances, finding the documents submitted by city legal office to be in order showing, that there was legal basis for the conduct of the bidding and the awarding of the P84 million build-operate-transfer contract to Metrostate Realty Development Corporation.

Guadiz, is the first cousin of the majority owners of Metrostate, namely Mark and Alex Siapno. Meanwhile, the councilor told the PUNCH he made a mistake in identifying a Maximillano Tan as the chair of the Special Bids and Awards Committee that conducted the pre-qualifying phase of the bidding process. Baraan was the chairman.

“Councilor Guadiz has determined the bidding of the project above board and substantial. I’m happy he arrived at the same conclusion,” said Baraan, pointing out that that the project went through the legal process.

The resolution was passed after a division of the house following a heated debate, with eight voting in favor, two opposed and one abstention.

Baraan said the executive department has nothing against the city council, particularly Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez who assiduously raised questions about irregularities in bidding process and the manner by which the contract was awarded and reported to the city council on a de facto basis.

“There were no hostilities between the SP and the city hall, it’s a mere conflict of interest and misunderstanding,” said Baraan who tried to dismiss the speculations about growing animosity between them and some members of the SP for delaying the passage of the resolution.

However, Baraan still could not disguise his resentment towards the vice mayor by saying that the vice mayor manifested his lack of trust and confidence to the executive department throughout.

Meanwhile, VM Fernandez said he was merely doing his job in his capacity as the vice mayor of the city and the presiding officer of the SP.

Baraan maintained that the office of the mayor had complied with the requirements of the law as proven by all the documents they have shown and presented “during the committee hearings” presided over by Guadiz. (Records show that the committee only had one very brief hearing where discussion between Guadiz and Baraan (accompanied by City Legal Officer Geraldine Baniqued) was kept away from the media).

He described the adoption of the resolution as a victory for the people of Dagupan who, according to him, will benefit a lot for the success of the Magsaysay Park project.

Baraan said he expects the project to be awarded on or before March 30 next year to be able to implement it even during the election time. – AQL

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments