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Thursday, October 23, 2003
Joy not fazed by malversation raps threat
By Christine Mae A. Pelayo
MAYOR Luzviminda Valdez said she is unfazed by the technical malversation case which Councilor Archie Baribar threatened to file against her.
This came after Baribar said if he had his way, he will file as many counts of technical malversation of funds against the Public Employment and Services Office and Valdez after the delay in the payment of the Bacolod City scholars’ fees.
The City Council will discuss the matter in their regular session Wednesday.
However, Valdez said: “If he (Baribar) wants to file a case, I will just answer it. I cannot stop him from filing any case and he cannot stop me also from filing any case against him. Nobody can stop anybody from filing a case.”
She cited the Supreme Court ruling making it difficult to file technical malversation charges against a city mayor if documents went through proper procedures.
Valdez explained it was she who last approved the request because before any mayor signs a disbursement voucher, it first passes through the budget office for allotment; then to the accounting office for control and to determine whether the allotment is correct; and thirdly, to the treasurer’s office to check if there is available cash.
Moreover, Valdez said her administration shouldered the P7 million back accounts of scholars.
In 1998, she cited, the city appropriated only P1 million for the scholars’ fees.
The payments for the old accounts compounded due to additional scholars every year, she said.
Valdez added: “The account of the city runs to around P4 million because the recruitment of scholars reached P9 million during the end of 1999. The city appropriated only P3 million.”
(October 23, 2003 issue)
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