Conflict heats up in Danao City Hall

CEBU, Philippines - The Danao City Council has requested the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas to look into possible violation of the Anti-Red Tape Law committed by Mayor Ramon “Boy” Durano Jr. because of his alleged inaction to several disbursement vouchers that has already affected the members of the council and even the job order employees of the city.

Vice Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III and the rest of the members of the city council signed the letter request before the anti-graft office.

They accused the Mayor of “unjustifiable delay in the processing and release of several disbursement vouchers.”

Among the vouchers that Mayor Durano reportedly failed to act on covers the reimbursement of the councilors’ trip to attend the activities of the Philippine Councilors League.

 The members of the council said they were forced to use personal funds during their trip because the Mayor did not allow them to make cash advance. According to the members of the council, the Mayor’s actuation is already oppressive and violative of the Anti-Red Tape Law and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

They added that the Mayor also did not act on several requests made by them. Among them is their request to charge to current appropriation the amount of P24,732 representing their unpaid traveling and training expenses in December 2010.

They also have requested for transfer of appropriation in the amount of P40,000 from the appropriation of repair and maintenance, Information Technology equipment and software to traveling expenses.

They also have requested for the purchase of laptops and roller shades or blinds. Even the salaries for the job order employees of the city government have been affected.

In fact, job order employees have not been paid of their salaries since January. —(FREEMAN)