Sunday, November 11, 2007 Montelibano to Guillem: Accounting book will always prevail By Gil Alfredo B. Severino
REACTING to former president of Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc (Ceneco) Eddie Guillem, incumbent Ceneco president Roberto Montelibano explained that giving media a copy of former officers' accountability was simply in the interest of the 'owners.'
Montelibano stressed that it is likewise his accountability to the 'owners,' who are actually the Ceneco consumers, to be transparent and 'close the books,'of Ceneco.
"Accounting and legal mandates dictate that procedures must be followed in all transparency. If Ceneco owes Mr. Guillem P118,000, let him come and show liquidation papers. Immediately, he gets paid," Montelibano said.
Montelibano, however, explained that Guillem's P118,000 claims against
Ceneco has already been ruled by the National Electrification Administration as 'disallowed' despite a board resolution for him to travel abroad.
"Nevertheless, books are now in order for Mr. Guillem. Let him come and make all the claims he can. For as long as I'm president, say whatever you want, but accounting books here will always be in order; audit and control will always be followed," he said.
Montelibano further stressed that what he is more concerned of now is Ceneco's franchise tax payments to the City Government and the City Government's P183 million electric bill to Ceneco.
Montelibano publicly announced that as per computation of the Ceneco accounting department, from 1997 to 2007, Ceneco owes the City P10,775,913.00 in the form of franchise tax.
"That is why I am calling on the mayor to immediately convene the finance council and let's talk. Let's talk of payment plans because it is unfair for consumers if we don't do so," Montelibano said.
"Let the Mayor prepare his accounting and we are ready with ours, also. Let's make this fast. The City owes Ceneco P183 milliion, Ceneco owes the City P10 million. Let's come up with payment plans and 'close the books.' he added.
"If they want the offset system, then per our books, the City owes Ceneco P153 million," he explained.
Montelibano appealed to the mayor not to go to court anymore but instead prepare accounting books and settle.
"Nothing to fight, nothing to litigate, Ceneco consumers are waiting," he also said.
