The complaint was in connection with the alleged rigged bidding of several multi-purpose halls in the province’s third district financed by the pork barrel funds of Rep. Noel Villanueva (3rd District-Tarlac) amounting to P18 million.Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) executive vice president and former mayor Reynaldo “Reycat” L. Catacutan filed the complaint against Rodriguez.
Catacutan said the bidding conducted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Concepcion town for the construction of multi-purpose buildings with stage for Barangays Dolores, Manlapig and Sto. Domingo II here worth P9 million and for Barangays Anupul, Banaba and Virgen Delos Remedios in neighboring Bamban town also worth P9 million was allegedly rigged.
The winning bidders – A.S. Soliven Construction, B.G. Giron Construction and N.M. Espinosa Construction – are allegedly “just dummies” as the actual construction was done by Mayor Rodriguez using government resources and manpower.
In his complaint, Catacutan identified a certain Engr. Cisero Villanueva as supervising the construction of the buildings in this municipality and adjacent Bamban town.
Catacutan also identified a certain Romy Arroyo, a boom truck driver employed by the local government who was observed “driving the LGU truck and watching the unloading of construction materials coming from ICO Construction Supply which is allegedly owned by Mayor Rodriguez.
One Jose Dela Cruz, a casual employee of this municipality and four other employees of the LGU were also present during the delivery and unloading of the said construction materials.
A Capas rescue tuck (plate no. SKX 521) owned by the LGU emblazoned with the mayor’s name was also used as a delivery truck particularly concrete hollow blocks for the projects.
A picture of the said truck was also taken in the Bamban projects where it unloaded construction supplies.
Catacutan also accused the DPWH-Concepcion district office of tolerating the use of LGU resources instead of the manpower, equipment and fuel from the winning bidders.
Catacutan said he made an ocular inspection on the projects and found out that there were no sign boards or tarpaulins indicating that the said projects were under the DPWH as provided under Government Procurement Act.
Rodriguez cannot be reached for comment as of press time.
