At P22 per can: CH sardines overpriced?

CEBU, Philippines —  Not mincing his words, former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña has accused Mayor Edgardo Labella’s administration of buying overpriced sardines at P22 apiece when it could have been bought at P13.50 the cheapest.

Osmeña, in a statement relayed to the media, cited a March 25, 2020 purchase order issued by the city government requesting La Nueva Supermart Inc. to provide various relief goods intended for city residents affected by the prevailing enhanced community quarantine.

The description section of the purchase order contained the words “Social Amelioration for 200,000 recipients.”

The items listed include 1.2 million cans of 155g of sardines at P22 each for a total amount of P26.4 million; 1.2 million cans of 150g beef loaf at P24 each for a total amount of P28.8 million; 1.2 million cans of 100g corned beef at P17 each for a total of P20.4 million; 600,000 cans of 70g sausage at P15 each for a total of P9 million; and P1.4 million packs of noodles at P11 each for a total of P15.4 million.

All in all, the total amount of the goods requested to be purchased was P100 million.

The PO was signed by City Administrator, Atty. Floro Casas Jr., “by authority of Mayor Edgardo Labella.” On the part of the supplier, a certain Anderson Uy conformed and signed the PO on March 26.

Osmeña called out the City Hall, saying “that’s almost double the price,” and then asking “where the excess goes.”

“They better explain this or else, they can go to jail for this,” he said.

Pursuant to Proclamation No. 922, a price freeze on basic necessities is currently in effect in Central Visayas due to the public health emergency brought about by COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Trade and Industry, thus, put the price ceiling of the cheapest brand of sardines (155g) at P13.25 while the most expensive brand of the same weight is at P17.

The March 25 purchase order did not indicate the brand of sardines intended to be bought.

Labella: Let him sue

Sought for comment, Labella just brushed aside Osmeña’s allegation, saying he will just continue to stay focused on the “very important job he has to do” amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“There he (Osmeña) goes again. If he has some complaints, instead of making insinuations, why doesn’t he file the case and submit evidence?” said Labella, adding he will not be affected by the accusation.

“Whatever he wants, let it be filed or brought before the proper venue,” he added.

Tom, too?

Casas, for his part, answered the allegation by showing a copy of a separate purchase order issued during Osmeña’s tenure in office.

It was a purchase order dated October 29, 2018 showing that the price of the sardines bought from a certain supplier was at P27 each can.

The PO was addressed to Virgilio & Elsa General Merchandise at Stall #111 Unit 3, Carbon Market and appeared to have been signed by Osmeña himself.

The number of cans requested was 4,000 at P27 each for a total cost of P108,000.

“Before mi mo-explain ngano P22 ang among sardinas karon nga krisis ug nihit ang supply, dapat siya mouna explain ngano P27 iyang sardinas nga wala man krisis and baha ang supply sa iyang time,” said Casas.

(Before we explain why sardines cost P22 nowadays when there is crisis and lacking supply, he should first explain why he bought sardines at P27 per can when there was no crisis and plenty of supply during his time.)

Under Section 3(g) of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, it is unlawful for public officers to “enter, on behalf of the government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same, whether or not the public officer profited or will profit thereby.”  JMD (FREEMAN)