Probe vs. Ronda mayor sought

CEBU, Philippines - A councilor in the western town of Ronda has asked the Office of the Ombudsman to look into the alleged unauthorized loan applied for by Mayor Esteban Sia with the Local Utilities and Water Administration.

Lawyer Jonnah John Ungab, chairman of the Municipal Council’s Committee on Laws, channeled his request through Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol.

Ungab admitted in his letter request that the report remains “unconfirmed,” but the Council is reportedly “greatly alarmed” considering that the amount loaned reportedly reached P10 million and is due for release.

“I am greatly alarmed by unconfirmed reports that our municipality, through our mayor, Esteban R. Sia, has allegedly applied for a loan assistance from the Local Utilities and Water Administration,” Ungab’s letter reads.Ungab said the alleged loan application did not pass through the Municipal Council.

“What is alarming about this report is that our local council has not authorized the mayor, through a resolution or ordinance, to represent the municipality to enter into a contract or loan,” the letter further reads.

Ungab said he is afraid that the municipality would be placed in a “disadvantageous financial obligation,” especially that the Council did not have the chance to review the alleged contract.

The Freeman tried but failed to reach Sia for comment. — Fred P. Languido/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)