Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi is facing plunder and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman over the purchase of a land and overpricing the lot price by P1,500 per square meter in 2014.
Rafael Arciaga, a resident of No. 83 National Road, Barangay Putatan, also implicated private respondents Romeo Quilapio, Herminio Gungon, Efren Villanueva, Grace Panolino, Cherry Fe Santos, Ester dela Cruz, Gregorio Cubacub and Yolanda dela Cruz.
Arciaga accused Fresnedi of buying the property of the private respondents for a much higher amount, “instead of taking into consideration the very advantageous purchase price offered to the city government in the amount of P2,500 (per square meter), respondent made a written counter-offer to the aforenamed individuals for the city government to buy the said properties in the much higher amount of P4,000 per sq.m.”
“Respondent made it appear, in conspiracy with private respondents, that another written offer to sell received on May 27, 2015 was submitted to him by the alleged representatives of the registered owners which quoted a higher amount of P5,000 per sq.m.,” he said.
Fresnedi is also facing graft and administrative raps before the Ombudsman for the ratification of the extension on contract of services as urgent between the city government and five private companies.
Renato So, Leonilo Santos and Jan-Aldain Bejosano also filed violation of Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Act and RA 67 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, RA 7160 or the Local Government Code, and administrative charges for grave misconduct, gross neglect and abuse of authority.
The complainants alleged Fresnedi entered into five separate contracts with five entities utilizing lump sum appropriations without seeking the prior authority of the city council, and that on Jan. 28, Fresnedi wrote the city council’s secretariat, requesting Vice Mayor Patricio Boncayao to take appropriate action on the approval of a resolution authorizing him to enter into several contracts for the extension of services that had already expired.
“This request was certified as URGENT by the respondent,” the complaint read.
Fresnedi wanted an extension of another three months for Clarita Ines canteen, Linde Waste Management Inc., Linde Philippines Inc. and Mahalimuyak Laundry Corp. for Ospital ng Muntinlupa, and GovMedic Trading for the Muntinlupa City jail.
Cecilia Lazarte, the council’s secretariat, issued a March 6 certification that “as per records, the 8th Sangguniang PangLungsod has not issued prior resolution granting authority to the City Mayor Atty. Jaime R. Fresnedi to enter into contracts.”
“In contravention of the foregoing mandatory provisions of the law, and despite full knowledge of the same, respondent Mayor Fresnedi proceeded to unlawfully bid out, awarded the said contract, and signed the agreement with the abovementioned entities without prior authority from the Sangguniang Panlungsod,” the complaint read. “‹
