Ex-Antique mayor charged for awarding contract to son

MANILA, Philippines - A former municipal mayor in Antique is facing graft charges for allegedly awarding a government project to a company owned by her son.

The charges against former Valderrama mayor Mary Joyce Roquero stemmed from the awarding of a sound system deal to Jubilee Super Sounds, owned by her son Anatoly, from 2010 to 2012.

The sound system was supposedly used for the celebration of the town’s Panubason Festival during the period.

In a complaint filed recently with the Sandiganbayan, the Office of the Ombudsman said no public bidding was conducted for the project.

Roquero reportedly approved a resolution of the bids and awards committee, which recommended direct contracting for the project.

The ombudsman said the municipal government did not conduct price canvassing to determine if other suppliers offered the same equipment at a lower price.

Anti-graft investigators said Roquero gave unwarranted benefit to her son.

Roquero’s bail was set at P90,000.