Dizon wants council to probe Cortes’ “red flags”

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City lone district representative Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano Dizon fired back the City Council yesterday to likewise file a resolution asking to probe suspended Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and other city officials regarding Commission on Audit (COA) red flags.

This, after the Mandaue City Council approved a resolution urging for an investigation into allegations regarding a city property that the congresswoman and her husband, Opao Barangay Captain Nixon Dizon, allegedly "illegally acquired”.

“It is within their right to approve any resolution. Pero mangutana lang ko, kay righteous man kaha sila, asa ilang resolution asking for investigation ni suspended city mayor and all others responsible sa kadaghang disallowances and gi-red flag sa COA?” she said.

“Documented ug klaro man ang mga findings sa Commission on Audit kaysa baseless charges ni Edward Ligas. Akong huwaton pud ilang resolution kabahin sa mga COA disallowances sa city,” the congresswoman added.

Ligas filed multiple complaints against the couple before the Office of the Visayas last September 24, 2024.

However, the proponent of the draft resolution no. 148-2024, Councilor Cynthia Cinco Remedio, countered yesterday afternoon the congresswoman’s statement.

“Clearly the congresswoman is not familiar with the processes of the local government. So, we will endeavor to educate her and answer her comments,” she said.

Remedio said that the process of COA to make observations on the operations of the city is part of the audit process. She added that the city has complied with the Audit Observation Memorandum.

“There is nothing to investigate as these processes is part of the check and balance of the local government and the audit body,” she added.

She likewise said the COA observation isn’t a criminal case compared to what Ligas filed against the Dizons, to which she said the city should look into and find out if there is truth in it.

“The fact that our congresswoman, who is one of the accused in this case together with her husband, is deflecting the issue is alarming because as a public servant, she must not be afraid to meet the issue head on and answer the allegations squarely and transparently,” she added.

“Lastly, as a fellow legislator, she should know better than to dictate what should be the priority of the City Council, she should know that the plenary powers of the council include our duty and responsibility to protect the interests of the city. Rest assured that with these issues coming to light, we will leave no stone unturned until the truth comes out, no matter how long it has stayed hidden,” she said.

Last September 24, Ligas filed multiple complaints against the couple for plunder, graft, falsification of public documents, and falsification of Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth from 1997 to 2005.

Ligas said he filed the complaints against the Dizons because of them acquiring a 2,500 square-meter parcel of land in December 16, 1992 that allegedly was part of 186 hectares owned by the Mandaue City government under a reclamation contract May 28 of the same year.

He asked the Ombudsman to prosecute the couple for “questionable” acquisition of the lot under the Deed of Absolute Sale, allegedly slashed from the entire reclamation area.

On the other hand, Remedio said the city resolution aims for an independent investigation by the committee on laws verifying Ligas’ allegations.

“Ato lang g’yung gipasahan og resolution ba kay nakabasa man ta sa mga tabloid, sa news, nga si Edward Ligas ni-file sa Ombudsman kabahin sa lote ba, na-involve man gud ang city so dapat ato na ‘nang himuan og resolution para atong ma forward sa atoang committee on laws and ordinances,” she told reporters last Monday.

Councilors Malcolm Sanchez, Jimmy Lumapas, Jesus Arcilla Jr., Marie Immaline Cortes Zafra, Jennifer Del Mar, Editha Flores Cabahug, Oscar Del Castillo Jr., Dante Borbajo, and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president and ex-officio council member Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as were the co-proponents of the approved resolution. — (FREEMAN)