Former city councilor and vice mayoral candidate Atty. Jimbo Maristela criticized the city government’s bidding process, citing alleged collusion and favoritism in awarding contracts for major infrastructure projects.
In a press conference held Friday, February 28, Maristela urged greater transparency, questioning why certain contractors were able to secure multiple projects despite failing to complete previous ones.
“Hindi natin masasabi na SOP ano? Pero alam naman nating lahat na nangyayari yan,” he said.
“Palpak yung mga proyekto, yung isang contractor binigyan ng limang proyekto nang sabay-sabay, ano pang iisipin natin doon? Tapos kung hindi niya matapos at hindi niya magawa yung mga proyektong yan, eh hindi man lang siya kinasuhan ng nagbigay ng project sa kanya,” he questioned.
COA report confirms bidding irregularities
A December 2023 COA audit report supported Maristela’s claims, stating that the city government had not blacklisted any contractors, despite multiple project failures. The agency flagged the absence of penalties for erring companies and the lack of competitive bidding for major projects.
“There are still no bidders/suppliers/contractors/consultants and distributors who have committed offenses and violations during competitive bidding and contract implementation that have been blacklisted by the CGPP,” the COA report stated.
COA also noted that only a few contractors were participating in bidding processes, with some projects awarded to sole bidders.
“For FYs 2022 and 2023, the BAC has not yet received any list, ordinance, resolution, communication, and endorsements from the Sangguniang Panlungsod, City Engineering Department, and City General Services Office for possible blacklisting of erring Suppliers/Contractors/Distributors and Consultants for offenses and violations during competitive bidding and contract implementation,” the report added.
Allegations of predetermined winners in bidding
Maristela claimed that some contractors were being pre-selected for projects even before the bidding process began, a practice that violates procurement laws. He noted that local contractors had complained about being excluded from city projects, raising concerns about fairness in government transactions.
“Nadaing ng ating karamihang contractor dito sa Puerto Princesa na tila namimili kung sino ang bibigyan ng kontrata.Marami na tayong nakakausap na kontratista na sinasabi sa kanila na ibi-bidding pa lang, meron nang naka-assign kung sino ang kukuha ng proyekto,” he said.
COA urges city to blacklist defaulting contractors
The COA report also recommended that the City Mayor and the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) enforce stricter procurement policies, including the blacklisting of contractors who fail to complete projects.
“Upon termination of contract due to default and/or unlawful acts of the contractor, the Head of the Procuring Entity shall issue within seven (7) calendar days a Blacklisting Order immediately disqualifying the erring contractor from participating in the bidding of all government projects,” the report stated.
Lack of action in recovering public funds
Maristela also questioned why the city government failed to recover advance payments given to contractors who abandoned projects. The COA report found that millions in public funds remained unrecouped.
“Pwedeng kasuhan ang City Government sa Ombudsman ng criminal case at administrative case, at pwedeng maging co-accused yung contractor, dahil pera ng bayan yun,” he said.
The audit revealed that for the San Jose Public Market project, the city released ₱25.9 million in advance payments to GSMAXX Construction, but only 43.89% of the project was completed. COA noted that ₱15.6 million remained unrecouped, despite the contract’s termination.
The audit observations and recommendations were discussed with city officials during an exit conference on June 7, 2024.
Calls for accountability
Maristela said that with the 2025 elections approaching, Puerto Princesa residents must demand greater accountability in public spending. He stressed that awarding projects to the same underperforming contractors would continue to burden taxpayers and delay essential infrastructure improvements.
“Kung papalarin tayo, pangunahin parin nating pagtuunan ng pansin ang paglaban sa corruption sa pamahalaan,” he said.
“Kung patuloy na ganito ang nangyayari—na corruption at katiwalian—wala pong mangyayari sa mga proyekto ng pamahalaang lungsod,” he lamented.
