Medal Controversy of Palarong Pambansa 2017
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao has been accused by a supplier of having anomalous acquisition of medals for Palarong Pambansa 2017.
On Tuesday (April 25, 2017), Eduardo Fortaleza, the lawyer for the 168 Office Supplies said that the Birds and Award Committee (BAC) of Antique has yet to approve a supplier for the medals, which were already being distributed to the athletes of Palaro 2017.
Palarong Pambansa 2017 was held in Antique and the games are now on its 5th on Friday (April 28, 2017). Staff and personnel of Antique Provincial Capitol have been ordered by the governor not to give any comment on the media.
An anonymous person said that 168 is the official supplier of the medals for the sports event, but denied that the medals awarded to the winning athletes came from SOS. He also said that the medals were given by a donor to prevent the delayed arrival of the medals.
But 168 was shocked that the medals given to the athletes was provided by SOS and claimed that they have the lowest bid submitted for the medals. SOS has submitted only the 3rd lowest bid, according to Fortaleza.
SOS has submitted an amount which is P5, 000 less than the approved budget. While 168 expects to get the contract by submitting an amount of only P562, 900, wherein Antique can save P300, 000 from the P863, 000 approved budget for the medals contract.
“If the governor or the province of Antique enter into a contract with SOS post hoc – meaning, after the Palarong Pambansa, because the medals are already being awarded – then, for sure, heads will roll and I will not hesitate to file charges before the Ombudsman and before the courts for violation of RA 9184, because what basis or right does SOS have in providing the samples and even delivering the medals when it has not yet been awarded a contract by the province of Antique?” said by Fortaleza quoted by Rappler.
Republic Act 9184 is the Government Procurement Reform Act.
