Biggest chunk of Capitol budget for CICC payment

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board yesterday approved on third and final reading the province’s second supplemental budget for the year amounting to P148 million, of which P136 million is for the payment to the contractor of the Cebu International Convention Center.

The P136 million, according to provincial attorney Marino Martinquilla, is for the payment of the CICC additional works upon the order of Regional Trial Court Branch 6 judge Ester Veloso, who last September 22 ordered Capitol to pay WT Construction Inc. P257,413,911. 73 for the additional workers covering site development, structural, architectural, electrical and plumbing on the facility, which was used for the 2007 ASEAN Summit.

During the discussion some PB members said they might get into trouble if they approve it, but Martinquilla assured them that the approval is in “pursuant to judgment of the court,” and that the PB will only be complying with the court’s order, “otherwise, the province and its officials will be held in contempt”.

He added that the amount has to be paid, otherwise the province would be paying P2.57 million per month in interest if the Supreme Court sustains the RTC ruling.

In that order, the province is required to pay an annual 12 percent interest to be computed starting from Jan. 22, 2008 upon the WTCI’s filing of the civil case until the capital amount would be fully paid, said Martinquilla.

“This body is only obeying with the court. Parties may continue to argue. With the order with the court, everybody must comply,” the lawyer added.

PB member Wenceslao Gakit, sponsor of the budget ordinance, said that there is a continuing appropriation of P120 million already to be added to the additional appropriation, that the board had just approved, of P136 million to make up the necessary P257 million amount payable to WTCI. — Liv G. Campo/BRP   (FREEMAN NEWS)