Ex-treasurer gets 10 years for overpriced weighing scale

MANILA, Philippines - A former treasurer of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the purchase of an overpriced cattle weighing scale almost 15 years ago.

Aside from imprisonment, Ofelia Oliva was also disqualified from holding public office, the Office of the Ombudsman said yesterday, citing a ruling by the Sandiganbayan.

The anti-graft court’s Associate Justice Samuel Martires said the weighing scale, which costs P130,000, was overpriced by P59,820.

Martires said the procurement did not undergo public bidding, as required by law.

The anti-graft court found that the weighing scale was of poor quality, without a serial number, and not Japan-made as required by the office of the city market superintendent.           

It said Oliva signed the canvass slip for the price of the item, without the authority of the mayor and the city council.

Martires said Oliva gave unwarranted advantage to Joe Bart Enterprises, the supplier of the scale.