Manila barangay execs get 9 years for rigged bidding

Several officials of a barangay in Manila were sentenced to serve six years to nine years in prison over the anomalous procurement of equipment in 2008.

In a 21-page decision penned by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 28 Judge Jean Marie Bacorro-Villena, six officials of Barangay 500, Zone 49, District 4 were found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of graft.

Barangay chairman Ernesto Evasco Sr. and treasurer Nemita Gonzales together with private respondent Victoria Limpio, owner of De Victoria Enterprises, were sentenced to a minimum of six years to a maximum of nine years.

Bids and awards committee members Jose Marie Evasco, Ariel Policarpio, Rolando Policarpio and May Sahagon received a sentence of six years to seven years.

The barangay officials were also meted the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.

The court said state prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman were able to prove that a purchase order, indicating De Victoria Enterprises as the supplier, was approved by Evasco Sr. and Gonzales on March 17, 2008 even before the start of the actual bidding scheduled in April of that year.

The purchase order was for a projector and sound system amounting to P138,128.

The court said it was also proven that the supply contract was awarded to De Victoria Enterprises despite its lack of a business permit.