Consolacion mayor, 2 others face graft charges at Ombuds

Consolacion Mayor Avelino Gungob yesterday welcomed the filing of graft charges against him and two of his municipal officials, saying these were politically motivated allegations that he could answer in the proper forum.

Gungob, in an interview with TV Patrol-Cebu, was unfazed over the charges saying, "Politics is behind the filing of cases before the anti-graft office. Ana gyud na basta nagtrabaho daghang gyud ang manaway pero anytime ato na pwede sila matubag sa proper forum."

Last June 21, a group of complainants, led by Praxedes Cuyos of Poblacion Oriental, Consolacion, filed eight graft charges at the Ombudsman-Visayas against Gungob and two other officials, and asked them to be put under preventive suspension during the course of the cases.

Aside from Mayor Gungob, the two others charged were acting municipal accountant Siegfred Cataluna, and municipal treasurer Rosalina Maglasang.

The complaints were based on eight separate municipal projects the mayor had implemented in the past, and the complainants attached 16 affidavits to buttress their charges.

Among the allegations were: 1) malversation of funds in the installation of the center railing project; 2) no bidding in the leasing of the old public market to a private entity; and 3) anomaly in the implementation of the municipality government center.

Other alleged anomalies were: 1) in the purchase of 166 bottles of liguid organic fertilizer, which was overpriced; 2) in the purchase of 21 sets of street lights, inclusive of installation; 4) spending of Special Education Fund; and 5) splitting of requisitions and usurpation of powers.

"Worst is, the railing works at the municipal hall's premises under the project of installation of railings with an appropriated amount of P119,878.50 were the same railings put up by Valkyrie Construction on the municipality 's national road with the knowledge and approval of Mayor Gungob," the complainants said.

They alleged that the old public market area was leased without bidding "to FOODA Savers Mart Corporation at P10 per square meter for 50 years, including the period provided for in the renewed contract, which is at the corporation's option."

The complainants added that the lot's price was not the recommendation of the provincial appraisal committee.

In the purchase of bottled fertilized, they accused Gungob of alleged overpricing, contending that the original price per bottle was P180 but purchased it at P1,500 per bottle. - Ramil V. Ayuman