Video exposes overpriced Capitol project in Bautista

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

A video posted over the Internet exposed the anomalous cost of the construction of a government school building in Bautista, Pangasinan.

The video posted at Facebook by Augusto Malicdem shows the atrocious price spent on a per square meter  of a school building funded by the provincial school board under Governor Amado T. Espino. Jr.

According to the video, the administration of Governor Espino funded the repair of a 614 psm public school house in Baluyot Elementary School in Bautista, Pangasinan.

“The cost (of the repair) was P3, 523,414 or P5,738 per square meter,” the voice over on the video said.

He compared that in the same size public school in Sison, Pangasinan, former Representative Cojuangco funded the construction of a new school building for P5,550 per square meter’s only.

“Look at the glaring differences of a new school building for P5,550 per square meter under Cojuangco and a repair that cost the people of Pangasinan for P5,738.46 per square meter in Bautista,” a scandalized viewer commented.

A high official of the National Irrigation Administration lauded the Cojuangcos on their honesty in public service. He said Cojuangco and wife Congresswoman Kimi were the only congressmen during his time and in Region 1 who declined to get S.O.P, euphemism for the 20% cut, from contractors.

The local government of Bautista, a fourth class town according to 2010 Census, for 21 years has been run by the Espinos.

In 1995 to 2004 it was governed by Mayor Jose “Pepe” Espino, the brother of Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr, in 2004 to 2013 it was ran by the governor’s son and namesake who is running now for the governorship of Pangasinan, and in 2013 to present it is governed by Mayor Amadeo “Deo” Espino, another brother of the governor who was the former president of the Liga ng Barangay in the province.

The village roads there, according to the video voiceover, are still rough, unlike in Sison town that have been  paved under the nine years watch of former Rep. Mark Cojuangco and the six years governance of incumbent Congresswoman Kimi Cojuangco.

“(Halos) walang pagbabago sa 21 years ang Bautista. The village roads there are still in bad shape unlike in Sison under the Cojuangcos,” the video said.

Before ending the video, the voice over and a print statement on the screen simultaneously posed:

“Pinaghaharian ng Espino ang Baustista ng dalawang dekada. Papayag ka ba na paghaharian nila ang buong Pangasinan?”

 Recently, the Ombudsman finally resolved the malversation and violation of Section 3 (e) of the Anti Graft & Corrupt Practices Acts criminal complaint versus the governor and company on the illegal mining of magnetite black sand in Lingayen town.

Resolution of the criminal case, according to the Rules of Court, means submission of it to the Sandiganbayan for the issuance of warrant of arrest to  the governor and the other accused and the governor’s preventive suspension in office.

So fresh and so clean.

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