MANILA – The Sandiganbayan has convicted a former municipal mayor in Leyte of graft charges for using municipal funds in renting an office space at a hotel owned by his brother in 2005.
Associate Justice Karl Miranda of the anti-graft court's Sixth Division, in a decision promulgated on Oct. 23 and released Monday, sentenced former Sta. Fe, Leyte mayor Melchor Quemado Sr. up to eight years imprisonment after finding him guilty of violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
The court said it "is convinced that Quemado acted with evident bad faith and manifest partiality" in the rental of office space at Hayward Travelodge without public bidding.
The court said the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove that the rental gave unwarranted benefits, advantage, and preference to Quemado's brother, Anastacio, who owns Hayward Travelodge.
"Public biddings are held for the protection of the public and to give it the best possible advantages by means of open competition among the bidders. Strict observance of the rules, regulations, and guidelines in the bidding process is the only safeguard to a fair, honest, and competitive public bidding," the court said.
The tribunal added that public officials and employees involved in the procurement of government supplies must always ensure that the provisions of RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act and its implementing rules and regulations are faithfully complied with.
Associate Justices Sarah Jane T. Fernandez and Kevin Narce B. Vivero concurred in the decision. (PNA)
