Radaza, Tining get suspension

CEBU, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan fifth division has placed Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza and Provincial Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez III under a 90-day preventive suspension for their alleged involvement in the misuse of P15 million in pork barrel funds of former Cebu representative Clavel Martinez in 2002.

Along with them Bogo City councilors Rhett Minguez and Cresencio Verdida were also meted suspensions. The two are former municipal treasurer and accountant, respectively.

In a report by a Manila-based newspaper, the Sandiganbayan through a resolution, penned by Chairman Roland Jurado, promulgated on October 21 granted the motion of the prosecution seeking the suspension of the four government officials.

To recall, the Office of the Ombudsman filed in July last year two counts of criminal charges for malversation of public funds under Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code and another two for violation of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act against the four officials as well as the former fourth district representative.

The anti-graft body affirmed that the respondents connived in misusing the P15 million in public funds from Clavel’s Priority Development Assistance Fund in 2002 that was originally intended for the Girl Scouts of the Philippine for its anti-drugs campaign.

The Ombudsman found out that only P600,000 of the P15 million was spent for the said purpose and the bulk withdrawn by the former lawmaker from the GSP-Cebu Council treasury. It said that the transactions neither appeared in the Monthly Financial Report of the GSP in Cebu City nor were they pre-audited by the internal auditor.

Apart from this, the Allotment and Obligation Slips of Bogo were also not supported by programs of work and or documents showing the related activities of GSP.

The former representative was GSP-Cebu president from 2000 to 2003, while Radaza used to be GSP-Cebu City treasurer. Board Member Martinez, who currently sits as ex-officio member of the Provincial Board, was serving then as mayor of Bogo City.

PB Member Martinez said he will comment on the matter after he receives a copy of the resolution.

“I spoke to our lawyer regarding the matter and they will be filing a motion for reconsideration once they have the copy,” he said.

Radaza and her counsel have also yet to receive a copy of the suspension.

“We will respond to it in due time. If there is, it is not a penalty but merely a preventive suspension,” said her spokesman Jonji Gonzales.

Gonzales added that since Radaza is no longer connected with GSP it will be unlikely she can influence witnesses or evidence in the case.

“That is why she is surprised of talks about a preventive suspension. Clearly, this case has got nothing to do with her official function as a mayor,” he added. — With Mylen P. Manto/BRP (FREEMAN)