CEBU, Philippines - Former Bogo City mayor Celestino “Tining†Martinez III is challenging fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon to show proof that he took the money downloaded from Malacañang to the barangay captains.
Martinez was reacting to Salimbangon’s claim that barangay captains withdrew the money and gave it to the former mayor for the purchase of rice distributed to the people in the fourth district.
“Benhur is lying and I challenge him if he can show proof or any affidavit of even one barangay captain that I took the money or I received a single peso from the P100,000,†Martinez told The FREEMAN.
He said that if Salimbangon cannot show evidence, he must apologize especially to the barangay captains.
“The amount is for the people and for the barangay officials to decide on however they see fit to use it just as long as it is within the guidelines issued by the government,†Martinez said.
Salimbangon refused to name any barangay captain as he is also protecting them.
“Where did he get the money to purchase rice for distribution when he is not a government official?†Salimbangon asked.
Martinez is challenging for the second time the candidacy of Salimbangon as congressman of the fourth district.
Salimbangon earlier disclosed that Malacañang downloaded P100,000 for each of the barangays in the fourth district of the Province of Cebu through the Department of Budget and Management.
He said that politics may have something to do with the funds being used by candidates of the Liberal Party which Martinez belongs.
Salimbangon earlier warned barangay captains in his district not to spend the money until they get a clearer explanation as to its purpose. Salimbangon said that barangay captains withdrew the money and turned it over it to Martinez for the purchase of rice.
He said that such a procedure is risky on the part of the poor barangay captains during the audit of the money. — (FREEMAN)