Sonny faces more raps before the Office of the President

Suspended Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña is facing more cases before the Office of the President.

This time, he was named in a complaint over the allegedly anomalous purchase of 19 luxury vehicles for City Hall in 2015, for P31,032, 900.

The complainant, Elmer Canillo, asked President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate Osmeña for violating the Department of Interior and Local Government Memo Circular 2014-155, Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and for grave misconduct.

“His acts and omissions are evidently unlawful, illegal, felonious and contrary to law and therefore he must be made liable and answerable for the violations,” the complaint read.

Osmeña’s lawyer, Inocencio dela Cerna, described the complaint as “pure political harassment.”

He said that Osmeña is ready to present documents to prove the legality of the transactions.

Osmeña will return to his office in September.

Last Aug. 11, 2015, Osmeña reportedly purchased 12 Nissan NP 300 Navara pickup truck at P1, 630, 575 each vehicle, or a total of P19, 566, 900.

On Jan. 18, 2017, Osmeña also procured seven more similar vehicle totaling to P11, 466, 000.

But the procurement was without approval from the DILG secretary, thus, a violation of Presidential Administrative Order 15-2-2011 on the acquisition and use of luxury vehicles.

“There had been no justifications that these vehicles were necessary in the interest of public service,” the complaint read.

The complainant had also lodged a criminal and administrative complaint against Osmeña over the allegedly anomalous purchases of at least three properties totaling to P56,268, 500 in 2017. /