Wagas hits back at critics

Compostela Mayor Ritchie Wagas yesterday belied the allegations that the proposed birthing center in his town was overpriced and said the graft case filed against him was politically motivated as his opponents are bent on stopping the project.

Wagas insisted that his project will only cost P2.2 million, not P4.6 million as claimed by municipal councilor Tessa Cang.

Earlier this week, Cang, chairwoman of the committee on budget and appropriations, lodged a lawsuit with the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.

Cang alleged that Wagas committed graft, dishonesty, gross misconduct and violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public officials when he certified the allocation of public funds despite the absence of a council resolution appropriating the budget.

She also said he connived with the Bids and Awards Committee members and municipal accountant Sylvia Malacad to undertake the appropriation.

However, Wagas explained the municipal council has not yet certified the availability of funds, adding that what they certified was only the appropriation.

Wagas also said it was impossible for him to “connive” with the municipal department heads as most of them are allies of his critics.

Admitting that the legislative body in his town has become a stumbling block in realization of the birthing center, he said he asked opposition town councilors to set aside their political differences for the public services and development of Compostela.

“I have my own limitation and they have their own.  When you oppose the proposition from the executive, you must find yourself within the limits of the law,” he said. — Gerome M. Dalipe/BRP