longcuts archives

No less than 6,533 Filipinos will take the Bar Exams today at the Dela Salle University in Manila.

Big number, says Dean Ed Albano.

But somehow, he told Longcuts, this big number might be good.

For the barristers, he added.

Given the limited time to check on this big number of notebooks, the examiner will have limited time reading and checking, he explained.

Tendency is, he said, they might be generous.

* * *

Albano is conducting special lectures covering the subjects for today’s Bar Exams – political law and labor law.

He is handling political law while Professor Samson Alcantara handles labor law.

Between panic reading and guided lectures, there is no question that the latter is better.

Left on his own, a barrister tends to read, review and study practically every page and article covering the two general subjects in the supposition that questions might asked from any of these items.

But Albano and his team have a good idea as to the identity of the examiners at this point in time. Some of them are either friends or kumpares. Knowing the identity of the examiners is already a very good start in predicting which questions will be asked in the exam.

He cited one example.

He met one prospective examiner inside a coffee shop days before the Bar Exams. In the course of their discussion, he was asked what he was doing and he answered he was doing lectures in Remedial Law.

Madali lang yan, was the comment. Summary procedure lang at disposition of estate, walang kwenta na yong iba, was the added comment.

Might have been a slip of the tongue, Albano said but he considered it and took appropriate steps.

During his special lecture for Remedial Law, he took a calculated gamble and told his audience to forget everything and concentrate on Summary Procedure and Disposition of Estate.

True enough, the questions during the Bar were concentrated on these two items.

That incident, he told me, happens every now and then.

* * *

Naturally, these are calculated risks. They might or might not be asked in the Bar.

But for an examiner who has been in this profession for many years now, Albano has learned to trust his instincts.

And so far, he modestly told Longcuts over a cup of coffee, he has a fairly good batting average.

* * *

Meanwhile, there are interesting developments in the controversial purchase of the 13 Isuzu Crosswinds for the members of the provincial board.

The purchase of the 13 Crosswinds meant P10.6 plus millions in taxpayers’ money at P820,531.90 each.

The winning bidder is Isuzu Mandaue.

Over questions about the sole bidder, we were told only Isuzu Mandaue has submitted its bid.

When I checked, I found out this is not true.

* * *

Deadline for submission of bids came, there was only one bidder that submitted its bid – Isuzu Manila - thru a letter of intent.

The winning bidder – Isuzu Mandaue failed to submit its letter of intent on time.

The rule is, no letter of intent, no valid tender of bid.

But somehow, the rule was allegedly changed midstream.

Even without a letter of intent, a bidder could still submit his bid papers.

I suspect that the change of rules was done to accommodate Isuzu Mandaue.

For practical purposes, Isuzu Manila could not compete with Isuzu Mandaue because even on the issue of transport costs alone, Isuzu Mandaue could offer lesser rate than Isuzu Manila.

And, this is the clincher, somebody allegedly pressured Isuzu Manila to withdraw.

The alleged pressure to withdraw plus the changing of the rules made it possible for Isuzu Mandaue to clinch the deal.

Any documentary or testimonial proof, none.

These are all hush-hush and my sources told me they would promptly deny being the source.

* * *

The current price nationwide of an Isuzu Crosswind SL (STD) is, take note, P783,000,00.

This is the same model bought for the 13 very special members of the provincial board.

The price of the winning bidder – Isuzu Mandaue – is quoted as P820,531.90.

Now, take note of this.

The bid price is higher by about P37,531 than the actual price of the vehicle.

This means that if the province will directly buy these Crosswinds in any Isuzu dealer, it will pay P37,531 less than buying these Crosswinds thru a bidding.

Now, if we multiply this P37,531 by 13 (for each board member), we will have a cool 487,903.00.

I was told that in addition to the purchase price, the buyer will have to add P10,000 for the registration.

That is SOP, my source told me.

Even then, how much savings will the province get if the Crosswinds were purchased directly?

And this is the supreme irony – the government is supposed to get the best price when goods and services are procured by means of a competitive bidding.

Apparently, the latest purchase of the 13 Isuzu Crosswinds is an exception.

* * *

To clarify matters, the governor mentioned of figures during his weekly report.

The quoted price of P820,531.90 will still be deducted with 1% EVAT and 5% withholding tax or a net cost of only P771,709.41.

Which means, he said, the bid price of the Crosswinds is still cheaper than the price quoted from a certain local dealer kuno which is P783,000.00.

* * *

I confess I am ignorant about certain things. I am also poor in Math.

But I am curious.

When I buy things, a Nike shoes for example, the basis for the purchase is the price placed on the tag.

So when I buy a Nike shoes for 4,500, that is the amount I give to the store and I bring home the Nike shoes.

I don’t bother myself anymore about the EVAT and all that. The reason is that the 4,500 already includes the EVAT.

Or when I fill my tank with P1,000 worth of diesel fuel, the tank only gets P880 worth of diesel, because the P120 is for EVAT.

The exception is when I buy plane fares under certain promo packages.

When the ad says 1 trip for P890 exclusive of taxes and other fees, this means that I can expect to spend more than P890 because the price does not include the taxes and fees.

* * *

But in the purchase of the 13 Isuzu Crosswinds, it would appear that the taxes and other charges were not included in the quoted price of P820,531.90, per clarification by the governor.

Is this SOP?

Or, is this something irregular?

* * *

True enough, the purchase of the Isuzu Crosswinds is shrouded with mysteries.

First, I am referring to the timeliness of the purchase. Why buy now for the personal comfort of the provincial kagawads when the amount can very well find good use in alleviating the problem of rice supply in the province? What happened to their sense of propriety and sensitivity?

Second, why is it more expensive to purchase these Crosswinds in a supposedly competitive public bidding than buying them directly in any Isuzu dealer?

Third, what is the reason why Isuzu Mandaue was given very special consideration to eventually become the sole bidder and winner?

Fourth, how true that majority of the kagawads wanted to buy double cabs but somebody prevailed upon them to buy only a Crosswind sedan?

And fifth, the purchase of the Crosswinds is the business (no pun intended) of the provincial board. Why is the vice governor silent?

Anybody with an answer, please come forward.

More when we return, stay tuned for more. Comments or suggestions, write to salvadiputado@yahoo.com

 

Labels: bar, crosswind