Agnes proves P55M is for Dumanjug

CEBU, Philippines - To prove that she was not lying, acting governor Agnes Magpale showed photocopy of a check worth P55 million in the name of the municipality of Dumanjug.

The check that was shown to reporters yesterday is dated January 30, 2013.

It is part of the P56.3 million pork barrel funds of second district Rep. Pablo “Pabling” Garcia deposited as trust fund of the Capitol Magpale reportedly withheld.

Magpale said she asked to have the check photocopied after Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia challenged her to prove that the P55 million is solely intended for his town.

“I can prove because the check is here,” Magpale said.

Mayor Garcia said that they requested the Department of Budget and Management to trans fer the funds to Dumanjug and they will be the one to distribute the funds to other towns in accordance with the Special Allotment Release Order (Saro).

“Ang iya (Magpale) trabaho ang pag-release ra sa tseke,” Mayor Garcia said.

He said that what Magpale is doing only shows her ignorance and she does not know what she is doing.

He said that all of the 15 municipalities in the second district will get a share of the said funds but Magpale delayed the release of the checks prompting Rep. Garcia to seek assistance from the Office of the Ombudsman for the release of the funds.

In a dialogue called by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas last week, Rep. Garcia said that the P55 million under the name of Dumanjug will be distributed to other towns in the second district.

But Magpale’s consultant, lawyer Dara Acusar, said they were told by a representative of the DBM that by doing such, it will constitute technical malversation if it is not in accordance to the SARO.

Acusar said that those liable will be the governor, provincial treasurer and accountant.

“That is why we are very careful,” Magpale said.

Acusar said that the voucher of the P55 million stated that the amount is for the rehabilitation of barangay roads, electrification, repair, Philhealth, feeding, social services and others that were being lumped.

Acusar said Magpale cannot just release the check to Dumanjug in lump sum.

“Unsa may akong assurance nga that will be spent according to the menu?” Magpale said.

Magpale has ordered the review of the SARO of the Priority Development Assistance Fund of Rep. Garcia since 2009.

“I have to protect myself  also kay ingon ang DBM, I am liable,” Magpale said.

Once the checks are distributed to towns, Acusar emphasized that it is the acting governor who has the authority to supervise, manage and plan the distribution.

Meanwhile, Rep. Pablo John Garcia was also reportedly complaining about  the withholding of his PDAF deposited at the Capitol’s trust fund which Magpale denied.

“As far as I know, wa may labot si Pablo John dinhi.  This is Cong. Pablo Garcia’s PDAF,” Magpale said.

Magpale said that Pablo John’s funds at the Capitol is not as much as his father’s.

Acusar said that Pablo John has around a million pesos deposited in Capitol’s account. — /MBG (FREEMAN)