CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña last night denied giving cash donation to a cultural celebration in Barangay San Nicolas Proper.
“I did not donate for their event because it is illegal,†Osmeña told The FREEMAN.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional director Atty. Temie Lambino said that the general rule states that there should be no giving of cash or gifts during election period.
Yesterday, San Nicolas Proper Barangay Captain Boy Desamparado disclosed that Osmeña gave cash donation to the 6th Kaplag Buwad Festival, which will be held this Saturday in the barangay.
In a press conference at the San Nicolas Proper Barangay Hall, Desamparado said he asked Osmeña to support the annual celebration.
“Niduol gyud ko ni Osmeña ug wala mi nanawat og lain kay BOPK man mi nganhi,†said Desamparado, who chairs this year’s edition of the festival.
He said this year’s budget for the festival amounted to P585,000.
Desamparado said aside from Osmeña, some business establishments also supported the event
But he refused to divulge when asked how much Osmeña donated to the cultural celebration.
But Osmeña said he did not give any cash donation to the festival.
“I did not give any cash donation from my personal money. I only got a sponsor for him (Desamparado), sa Nature’s Spring. I brought him to the office that’s where he got the sponsorship. Siguro sa iyang utok, I donated because I helped him get the sponsor,†Osmeña told The Freeman in a text message.
He said the City Council did not approve the use of the Pagcor funds for Tribu Basakanon, which was supposed to join the Aliwan Festival in Manila, and the Buwad Festival.
“I assured Kap Desamparado, however, that I would look for sponsor. Yesterday I arranged a turnover of a budget in the head office of Nature Spring at around 10 a.m.,†Osmeña said.
Punishment for violators
Lambino said violation of such rule entails up to six years imprisonment without probation, disqualification to hold public office and prohibition to exercise the right of suffrage.
But Lambino said if the donation comes from the pork barrel, there will be exemption as long as congressmen comply with the rules of the Commission on Audit.
Desamparado said that during the event on Saturday, there will be no speeches from politicians as they will be welcomed as ordinary visitors.
“Wala gyud namu sila giapil kay kami pod ang madaut. Kung moanhi sila, they are all visitors, pero dili sila pasultihon,†Desamparado said.
The festival will have 12 contingents, which are each funded with P35,000 for their costumes, props, among others.
The grand prize winner will receive P30,000 while the second and third placers will get P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, Msgr. Trinidad Silva, chairman of Kaplag 2013, clarified that there are no politicians involved in the funding of the religious aspect of the celebration.
“I just want to clarify that the religious aspect of the Kaplag 2013 is funded by the parishioners and no politicians donated any cash donations for our religious activities,†Silva said.
Among the religious activities are a fluvial parade on Saturday, the reenactment of the arrival of Magellan and of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the Tartanilla Parade in which Sto. Niño images will also be blessed, among others.
Silva said there is already a closer coordination with the Basilica del So. Niño under the leadership of Fr. Jonas Mejares for the event.
He urged the faithful not only to look forward to the festival but also to focus on the religious aspect in order to strengthen their faith. — /LPM (FREEMAN)