N. Cotabato gov seeks dismissal of graft raps

North Cotobato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza has asked the Sandiganbayan to junk the graft case she is facing over an alleged fuel purchase anomaly in 2010.

In a motion filed before the anti-graft court’s first division on Monday, Mendoza said the Office of the Ombudsman erred in filing the case against her.

Mendoza allegedly procured without public bidding 49,526.72 liters of diesel worth P2.4 million from a gasoline station owned by her mother in 2010.

The fuel was used for a road grader and four dump trucks during a two-day road rehabilitation project.

“Contrary to the findings of the ombudsman… Gov. Mendoza did not handpick… the Taliño gas station… these were decided upon by the BAC (bids and awards committee),” the motion stated.

The gas station was chosen because it was the only gas station in the area and it offered the lowest price and agreed to supply fuel on credit, it added.

“There is no basis for the ombudsman to conclude that accused Gov. Mendoza gave unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to the Taliño Shell station,” the petition read.

In her ruling, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said there was ”no compelling justification for dispensing with the requirement of public bidding in the fuel purchase.”