Compostela residents rally for answers to COA report

CEBU - Around a thousand residents, barangay captains and leaders staged a peace rally in front of the Compostela Municipal Hall to show support to the municipal council and demand Mayor Ritchie Wagas give them answers about the findings of the Commission on Audit Report.

People from the 17 barangays gathered in front of the municipal hall led by the barangay captains and leaders bringing placards expressing their disappointments at the mayor.

This as Cebu fifth district Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI finally broke his silence on the conflict between the council and Mayor Wagas after several residents solicit his support to the council and the constituents’ stand to protect their money.

Supporters of Mayor Wagas also gathered in front of the municipal hall to counter the move of the supporters of Vice Mayor Joel Quiño’s camp.

Gilbert Wagas, a political consultant of Mayor Wagas, questioned why protester focused on the mayor’s cash advances only when the councilors also had cash advances.

Residents led by their barangay leaders requested Durano last weekend to intervene in their behalf to support their call asking for clarification on how the mayor managed the funds of the municipality.

“I believe that the council is correct in dissecting the proposed budget because first and foremost, it is their duty and responsibility to do so, if they approve the budget without going over it thoroughly then they’re not doing their job. Second, as representatives of the people, they are mandated to protect the constituents’ interest and not that of the mayor,” Durano said.

Durano also said that since it concerns public funds, it is the council’s job to see to it that it is put to good use.

The political consultant said that the rally yesterday happened despite the agreement between Mayor Wagas and Quiño last week to stop airing their differences to the media while they “troubleshoot” their impasse over the town’s annual budget still subject for discussion.

The barangay captains and leaders also urged the mayor to heed the council’s request for the appearance of the budget officer and municipal treasurer upon the council’s session so that the 2008 budget will be approved.

The residents also demanded from Wagas to clarify the irregularities in handling the funds of Compostela based on the COA Report.

Earlier, the Committee on Finance and Appropriations headed by Councilor Tessa Cang pointed out numerous lapses and irregularities on several items like of the lump sum amount.

COA also said there was a failure to conduct a complete count of properties and equipment amounting to P56,068,347.88 and non-observance of the pertinent provisions on the granting and the prescribed period of liquidation of cash advances.

Mayor Wagas told reporters that the move of the supporters of the camp of Quiño violates their promise to Governor Garcia.

“Maoy akong nabalak-an si Gobernador Garcia nga tua sa gawas nga nahitabo kini karon, pero dili ang among kampo maoy nag una sa paglapas,” Wagas said.

Cang said that the activity was only a Mass for Mother Mary seeking the truth of the audit reports released by COA.

The municipal council has not approved the annual budget for this year because of unresolved concerns about excess job order workers and funding priorities so council members want the office of the mayor to clear up the issue first.

The delayed budget prompted more than 50 Compostela residents to file a complaint last Friday with the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

Quiño and the three members of the council’s finance committee were cited for their failure to act on the proposed budget.

The complaint said Quiño and councilors Cang, Josephine Abing and Joselito Reynes should be investigated for failing to perform their official function.

Mayor Wagas, in a statement sent to The FREEMAN said that the supporters of the opposition councilors were misinformed saying that budget is now in the hands of the municipal council. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Jose P. Sollano/BRP (THE FREEMAN)