City Hall still in limbo over 2010 catering bill

THERE’S still not a solution in sight to the Red Carpet catering service’s claim against City Hall.

Cebu City councilors referred to the committee on budget the claim of Red Carpet for the P5.2-million worth of packed meals to personnel who served in the 2010 barangay elections.

“The end user was the city, so what are we going to do now,” asked Councilor Margot Osmeña during the June 11-session.

Legislators referred the issue to Osmeña’s committee for study and determination of how the city should address the problem.

Jose Uy of Red Carpet wrote the council last month to seek redress on their claim.

His catering service delivered packed meals to members of the board of election inspectors, poll clerks, city hall and Comelec personnel, policemen and other support personnel from October 23 to 25, 2010.

OIC city treasurer Diwa Cuevas in a June 2 letter to the council, said the food purchase lacked budget allocation, a valid purchase request and purchase order, a Bids and Awards Committee resolution and a notice of award.

“The above enumerated documents are essentially and legally required in the processing of vouchers for payment by the City Government to supplier/s following the provisions of the procurement law,” stated Cuevas.

Osmeña, however, said Cuevas failed to mention whether the city should pay Red Carpet.