ANGELES CITY – Two resolutions were unanimously approved by the city council here asking President Duterte for help and urging the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to investigate the Angeles City Water District (ACWD).
Resolution No. 8844, S-2020 (PR-432-02-20) is requesting the assistance of the Office of the President “concerning all the alleged illegal activities of the ACWD so as to prevent and put a stop to them and protect the general welfare of all Angelenos.”
Resolution No, 8843, S-2020 (PR-443-02-20) is requesting the PACC, headed by Atty. Greco Belgica, to investigate the alleged illegal activities of the ACWD involving its board of directors and its officials.
The resolution said the city council has received several complaints and reports regarding alleged illegal and unlawful contracts, agreements and activities by the ACWD as perpetrated by its officers and the members of its board of directors.
The resolution also cited the council’s own probe, in aid of legislation, concerning the alarming and gravely disturbing reports and discovered that: “The ACWD, through its officers and the members of its board entered into a contract concerning the purchase of bulk water from AM Gatbonton Ventures Corp. without exercising due diligence on the matter as it was discovered by the city council that the said company does not even have the necessary permit to conduct business in Angeles City from the time the contract was entered into up to the present.”
It added that “the ACWD also failed to observe the diligence required from it by law when it kept silent on the fact that AM Gatbonton built and operated its pumping station over a parcel of land owned by the daughter of its board president, Bernardo Cruz.”
The ACWD allegedly also kept silent and turned a blind eye on the fact that the parcel of land over which the said pumping station is situated is classified as “residential” under existing zoning classification.
The resolution said the ACWD also entered into an agreement/contract concerning the use of ultraviolet (UV) ray disinfectant machines when such is not even required as per the Local Water Utilities Administration.
The resolution said the ACWD is “gearing” in entering into a joint venture agreement with a private company for the management of its operations and maintenance despite its knowledge that the city council is still in the process of investigating its activities and of the fact that Mayor, Carmelo G. Lazatin, Jr., has filed a case before the Ombudsman against AM Gatbonton.
The two resolutions were sponsored by councilors Jesus S. Sangil and Joseph Alfie T. Bonifacio and duly seconded by councilors Arnoah Prince DG. Mandani and Marino D. Bañola, unanimously approved by the members present: councilors Arvin M. Suller, Danilo D. Lacson, Joseph G. Ponce, Joan Crystal DJ. Aguas, Joseph Alfie T. Bonifacio, Thelma P. Indiongco, Marino D. Bañola, Jesus S. Sangil, Raco Paolo S. Del Rosario, Jeremias M. Alejandrino and Arnoah Prince DG. Mandani with the concurrence of Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting.
Councilor Amos B. Rivera abstained during the regular session held Feb. 11, 2020.