Edu, aide face malversation raps

CEBU, Philippines —  Another criminal complaint has been filed over the case of the missing donated chickens in Cebu City, this time directly against City Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr. and his executive assistant Rona Lapina.

The complainant, Jonel Saceda of Barangay Labangon, is accusing Rama and Lapina of malversation of public property under Section 217 of the Revised Penal Code, violation of Sec. 3 of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of public official before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaint stemmed from the chicken meat donated by CP Foods to the city that allegedly went missing and were sold to the public instead of being distributed for free.

Last July 2, residents of Sitio Ascension of Barangay Sambag 1, represented by a certain Marco Licinio “Bebot” Flores Gingoyon, also wrote a letter of complaint to Mayor Edgardo Labella demanding investigation into the “sale” of the chickens.

The two complaints were on top of the inquiries made by opposition councilors Joy Agustus Young and Jessica Resch at the council earlier.

In his affidavit, Salceda questioned why the City Legal Office had cleared Rama even before any formal investigation could take place.

He also hinted at doubting Labella’s resolve to call for investigation, noting that the mayor is allied with Rama.

Labella’s investigation, if any, has yet to yield results. It is also yet to be known whether the deed of donation has already been signed.

Salceda said that based on Rama’s privilege speech denying the selling of donated chickens by the Mayor’s Information and Liaison Officer (MILO), he remembered that the MILO in Barangay Labangon also sold chickens to the residents.

Attached to the complaint were affidavits of three former employees of the donor company who attested that Rama allegedly sold the chickens to the public.

Politicking?

Sought for comment, Rama said he has not received the official complaint yet.

However, he believes the filing of the complaint is politically motivated. Salceda, he said, is reportedly a staunch supporter of the BOPK.

“The Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) also received a donation from the same company which they distributed to 80 barangays around the same time. I’ve issued a statement several times and have from my end, submitted all the documentation that the nine identified barangays who received the chickens issued sworn statements that they received and distributed it,” said Rama. — JMD (FREEMAN)