"Participants" in project for PWDs deny attendance

CEBU, Philippines - Some of the people whose names were included in the list of participants in an activity for differently-abled persons in Barangay San Roque last year have executed affidavits before the Office of the Ombudsman to deny their supposed participation.

They said some unscrupulous persons might just have used their names to allegedly “pocket” the budget for the project.

“We never received anything nor have any knowledge of that alleged activity and that we never signed, nor put our signatures as it appeared in the documents. The signatures appeared representing our names are forged. We strongly denounce the barangay officials who fabricated the anomalous document,” said Carmelita Rabaya, daughter of the late San Roque barangay captain Telesforo Rabaya, whose name was also included in the list of participants.

Rabaya, who was listed as “Milet Rabaya,” executed her affidavit before graft investigator Edsel Ensomo.

The participants also reportedly received the snacks served during the activity.

Officials of Barangay San Roque reportedly attached the list of participants in the documents they submitted to the Department of Interior and Local Government to support the P14,000 expenditure for the activity.

Rabaya asked the Ombudsman to hasten its investigation. She said she and her brothers, Jimmy and Allan Jayme Rabaya, did not attend the activity last July 17 to 23, much more received the food distributed.

The other residents of barangay San Roque whose names are in the list, but denied participation in the activity are Robert Narandan, Celerino Llanto, Julia Llanto, Wendel Arcenal, Jeffrey Jumao-as and Jackielou Sumampong, who were all surprised to see their names in the list.

“Ako kining ireklamo ang maong panghitabo kay usa kini kasalawayon nga buhat, ilabi na nga nag-involve kini ug kwarta sa baryo. Usa kini ka pagpanamas-tamas og pag-abuso ngari kanamong mga ginikanan sa paggamit sa ngalan sa among mga anak alang sa kapritso sa ubang opisyal nga nalambigit niining maong kahiwian,” Sumampong said.

Jumao-as, for his part, said, “Sa akong pagpangutana sa akong mga kauban nga Persons with Disabilities sa among barangay, sama kanako wala usab sila mahibalo niining maong activity ug nga wala sila makadawat sa pagkaon nga giingong gihatag kanila.”

Based on the documents San Roque submitted to DILG, each of the 50 differently abled persons who participated in the activity were provided with food worth P280.

But Arcenal said, “I do not even know about the activity if there is one. I did not sign anything regarding this matter and the signature appeared in the list is completely different from my signature.”

The two Llantos also said in their affidavits, “Dayag kaayo nga kining maong papeles usa lamang ka hinimo nga dukomento sa mga opisyal sa among baryo nga naapil niini. Gi-forge ra nila ang among mga pirma.”

San Roque barangay captain Roger Ruizo had washed his hands off the case and pointed to one Ligaya Britania, the Gender and Development (GAD) focal person of the barangay, as the one who allegedly handled the documents.

Ruizo tried to help The Freeman facilitate an interview with Britania and his other barangay officials, but failed to contact her as of yesterday afternoon. Britania’s house is just situated some few steps-away from the barangay hall of San Roque along Arellano Boulevard.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier asked the Office of the Ombudsman and Commission on Audit to investigate the complaint of San Roque Councilman Lidiore “Boy” Miranda and some other residents of the barangay. – Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)