As Makati prepares to change supplier, Peña shoulders cost of birthday cakes

Acting Makati Mayor Kid Peña has shouldered the expenses for the birthday cakes that were distributed to senior citizens, as he has yet to find a new supplier amid controversies connected with suspended Mayor Junjun Binay. 

 

The acting mayor said that the bidding for the new cake supplier will be held at the Makati City Hall and will be open to the public.

 

"We will be inviting personalities from the religious sector, sa private sector, even the national government. Baka ang COA (Commission on Audit) nandoon," he said in a "24 Oras" report aired Monday.

 

He said that a few bakeshops have already showed interest in the bidding. 

 

However, Makati Councilor Mayeth Casal-Uy pointed out that the contract was already bidded out on June 2. It is yet to be awarded to BakeRite. 

 

"I don't know he will tell it na magiging failed bidding iyon because it has already been bidded. So, we don't know yet because it has yet to be awarded," she said. 

 

Peña suspended the existing contract of the cake supplier in the city amid the allegations of corruption against the Binays. 

 

In a previous Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee hearing, whistleblowers said the birthday cakes the city gave senior citizens cost from P390 to P1,000. 

 

Former Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, who used to be a close ally of Vice President Jejomar Binay, claimed that Senator Nancy Binay supplied the cakes distributed to senior citizens.

The senator, the vice president's daughter, has already denied the accusation. — Trisha Macas/JDS/KG, GMA News