MANILA, Philippines - Taguig City allotted P90 million for motor vehicles for 2014, the full disclosure section in the city’s website shows.
Graft and plunder complaints were recently filed against Sen. Majority Floor Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano.
“This enhances my complaint against the Cayetanos. It shows a pattern of 'overspending.' Even though clothed under an “official” ordinance, it is still questionable,” lawyer Roderick Vera, who filed complaints against the Cayetano couple, said in an e-mail interview with Philstar.com
The Taguig City mayor was questioned for purchasing 18 "overpriced" multi-cabs for $11,381 each, using her husband's P9 million worth of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocation to buy the vehicles.
“While the multi-cabs are a definite issue (18 vehicles for P9 million), the P90 million is a line item in the report without any particularity. It should be explained why a small city needs P90 million for vehicles,” said Vera.
A report noted that Taguig’s multi-cabs amounting to P498,000 per vehicle is more expensive than a 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage sedan being sold at P478,000.
The complaint against the Cayetanos is under its course.
“It is their right to file or submit their counter affidavits. But of course, with their access to the media, they have already explained themselves and proclaimed their innocence to the public,” said Vera.
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