Leny Chuquimia / La Paz
In 2016, the then Ministry of Transparency investigated the purchase process of the PumaKatari buses, for which -now- former mayor Luis Revilla is accused of awarding an overpriced award. A report then issued by that ministry determined that they found no anomalies in the tender and ordered the case closed.
On Saturday, the former burgomaster declared himself in hiding after his wife, Maricruz Rivera, was summoned to testify in the case. The main complainant is Jesús Vera, a former MAS deputy candidate and the main defendant for the burning of more than 60 of those vehicles, during the violent events of 2019.
According to note MTILCC/ UIEPA/2016-0230, dated September 15, 2016, signed by the then Vice Minister of Transparency and the Fight Against Corruption, Jorge Flores Gonzales, that year the Ministry of Transparency investigated a series of alleged irregularities in the bidding, adjudication and contracting process for the “Acquisition of buses for the start of the municipal transport service by the PTM” with CUCE: 12-1201-00-317322-2-1.
“As a result of the review of the documents that support the contracting process, it was possible to show that each of the administrative procedures established in the Basic Standards of the Goods and Services Administration System and other provisions related to the process were complied with. contracting of reference”, says the analysis as the first conclusion.
It adds that: “on the other hand, each one of the administrative acts, such as the previous activities, beginning, during the process, conclusion, signing of the contract and receipt of the goods, are adequately supported with necessary and sufficient documentation, as well as the generated documents, record signatures and clarification of signatures of those responsible for their preparation, review, approval and authorization.
In another point, he explains that the schedule of deadlines and activities was revised; administrative, technical, legal compliance and the filling of forms for the presentation of proposals; and the recalculation of the evaluation methodology of the proposals submitted by the bidders.
“The correct evaluation and recommendation of the awarded proposal was determined. Therefore, the alleged irregularity could not be evidenced ”, it is concluded.
In addition to everything related to the award, the entity also investigated alleged anomalies in a fine imposed on the company, for the delay in the delivery of the buses. Another of the complaints they dealt with was the alleged expenditure of municipal resources on tickets to China for officials who traveled to be trained.
In the final part of the document, Deputy Minister Flores points out that due to the above “this State portfolio does not have major elements to which the corresponding follow-up must be carried out, for which reason the case is closed and archived.”
“Many times the political transcends the legal”
The president of the Illustrious College of Lawyers of La Paz, Edson Foronda, pointed out that it generates concern that the political issue transcends the legal one. He affirmed that the Prosecutor’s Office must act objectively in the investigation of the historical facts of this case.
“We understand that an action was initiated against the former mayor, Luis Revilla, for whom an arrest warrant was issued. The law provides that in case of non-attendance to a judicial call, this extreme is available, which is totally legal. However, if the absence was adequately justified, it would be in the hands of the Public Ministry to consider said excuse, “he explained.
Regarding the summons to Maricruz Rivera, to testify in the process as a witness, he stated that beyond the political situation, from an absolutely legal point of view, the prosecutor has the power to call whoever he considers to be a necessary element in an investigation.
“The political connotations today exceed the legal sphere, but the director of the process has the power to summon whoever he sees fit, regardless of whether it seems fair or unfair to us,” Foronda said.
He stated that in this case the Prosecutor’s Office must act objectively in the historical investigation of the facts. “Many times the political issue transcends the legal issue and that causes us concern, in any instance,” he concluded.
