A Davide-Magpale conflict?

What’s this I hear that Gov. Hilario Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale have a conflict and are engaged in a “silent war” because they differ in some policy matters and because of the shenanigans committed by men close to the governor? According to a very reliable source, the camp of Magpale has been calling the attention of the governor about the latter’s “trusted men,” like the group of Provincial Administrator Atty. Mark Tolentino, who is allegedly into money-making ventures. However, the governor just ignored Magpale’s concern.

This, prompted the vice governor to show her displeasure to the governor’s non-action. Magpale has been receiving reports about the alleged shenanigans of Davide’s inner circle like the conduct of the bidding for Capitol’s procurement and implementing projects which are not considered priorities.

The source said Davide’s wife Jobelle has also been intervening in some policy matters at the Capitol like hiring consultants and installing department heads who are not qualified and fit for the job. Some Capitol observers question the appointment of John Sigfred Sepe as chief of the general services office and a certain Bobby Nacorda at the Human Resource Development.

According to my source, Davide failed to control his men. Tolentino usually heads the bids and awards committee (BAC) for major procurement, supplies and contracts but they reportedly awarded it to their favorable contractors and suppliers like the P250-million budget for the purchase of heavy and light equipment, which was awarded to the joint venture of ConEquip and Rdak Company. This, following a failed bidding.

In the first bidding, ConEquip got the contract even though it offered the highest bid. Davide disregarded the first bidding and called a new one.

Another anomalous bidding was that of the hiring of a security provider, which was also disregarded by the governor. Provincial Attorney Orvie Ortega then headed the BAC.

Some quarters questioned the construction of a 12-story building inside the Capitol compound. What’s its purpose? Is it really a priority project? Why not use the multi-million budget to finance priority projects that will benefit majority of the Cebuanos? Our district hospitals need more medical personnel and medicines but Davide chose to ignore these needs.

They also questioned the dual position held by Baltazar Tribunalo. He is chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Provincial Environmental Resources Office (Penro) following the resignation of Atty. Chad Estilla. Tribunalo has been purchasing unnecessary disaster equipment and some of these are allegedly rotting in the office. One of its speed boats sank off Talisay recently. Was it substandard?

Estilla was allegedly forced to resign following charges of corruption but they made it appear that it was due to health reason. Like the “modus” of Estilla’s personnel, Tribunalo’s men have also been accused of extortion by fish dealers from the Zamboanga peninsula and haulers of sand, gravel and anapog. I don’t know if this has reached the attention of Tribunalo or he is just tolerating it. So why has Tribunal been given that dual position? Is the Capitol short of people to man the disaster office and Penro?

Davide has been projecting a “good image” of his administration. He even hanged a huge banner in front of the Capitol building, claiming that the Provincial Government is a “corruption-free” institution. Corruption-free sa iyang mata nga naghitak man nang pangawkaw diha. Maayo mangakusar sa kanhi administrasyon nga kurakot pero otro man sab diay.