Capitol dep't heads snub PB

CEBU, Philippines - The members of the Cebu Provincial Board were snubbed by the four Capitol department heads who were requested to appear in yesterday’s session to shed light on the alleged misuse of provincial funds.

Invited were Provincial Budget Officer Emme Gingoyon, Provincial Accountant Emmanuel Guial, Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Adolfo Quiroga.

Provincial Secretary Aniceta Pasaylo told the PB members that the invitation was coursed through the Office of the Governor.

When she made a follow-up yesterday morning, Pasaylo learned from the concerned officials that they did not receive the invitation.

Salubre and Guial told The FREEMAN that no invitation reached their table.

In last week’s session, PB Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy sponsored a resolution requesting the officials to shed light on the allegations that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia used public funds without the consent of the PB.

These include the financial assistance extended to calamity-stricken provinces earlier questioned by the Commission on Audit and the P27 million disbursed for the restoration of the Balili property also without the concurrence of the board.

Sitoy yesterday moved that the department heads will be invited to the next session.

PB Member Thadeo Ouano asked to specify the purpose for inviting the officials and Sitoy acceded.

The discussion has raised other issue such as the authority of the PB to invite Capitol officials to appear before them.

PB Member Cesar Ian Geronimo Zambo asked if the board has any legal basis in inviting the four officials or if there is a complaint filed against them.

PB Member Joven Mondigo Jr. who chairs the committee on complaints and investigation stressed that they have authority to investigate only complaints against elected municipal officials but no jurisdiction over elected and appointed provincial officials.

Mondigo said that if Sitoy sought for enlightenment on the alleged misuse of public funds, they can leave it to the anti-graft office.

Sitoy explained that they have no intent to conduct an investigation but a fact finding inquiry in aid of legislation to come up with a policy in the evaluation of the coming 2013 annual budget.

A brief session break was moved by majority floor leader Peter John Calderon.

When they resumed, Sitoy withdrew his resolution for the invitation of the four officials.

However, Sitoy said that he will file another resolution next Monday with specific purpose for inviting the officials as suggested by Ouano. —/MBG (FREEMAN)