Bukidnon city council roiled by contractor kickback allegations

MALAYBALAY CITY — A contentious row gripped the Sangguniang Panlungsod here Tuesday as council members confronted allegations that several barangay captains were demanding kickbacks from contractors awarded city infrastructure projects in their jurisdictions.

During the regular session, an ex-officio councilor took to the floor to denounce what officials characterized as a "Standard Operating Procedure," or SOP — a euphemism for the 10 percent cuts reportedly being extracted from project implementers. The accusations prompted an immediate and spirited exchange among council members, with the issue striking at the heart of concerns over accountability in local development spending.

The charges suggest a pattern in which village officials have allegedly been leveraging their administrative authority to secure financial benefits from contractors seeking to conduct work in their barangays. The practice, if confirmed, would represent a significant breach of procurement protocols and fiduciary responsibility at the municipal level.

The council's response to the allegations remained unclear as of reporting time, though the heated nature of Tuesday's session underscored the gravity with which members are treating the matter. Local government officials typically face strict oversight requirements regarding infrastructure contracts and the channeling of public funds.