Saturday, November 24, 2007 Mayor faces more charges on new gov't center project By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
ANOTHER set of criminal and administrative charges were filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas against Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia in relation with the implementation of the controversial new government center project.
Leonardia is already facing a total of 10 charges in relation with the implementation of the multi-million project.
The two new charges are technical malversation and violation of Presidential Decree 1445, Sections 85 and 86. The criminal charges were also coupled with the administrative charge of grave misconduct.
Former police officer Victor Eduardo filed the complaints with the assistance of lawyer Archie Baribar.
Named as accused in the technical malversation case were Leonardia, Vice Mayor Judge Thaddeus, Councilors Greg Gasataya, Homer Bais, Dindo Ramos, Wilson Gamboa, Jr., Al Victor Espino, Napoleon Cordova, Catalino Alisbo, Roberto Rojas, Alex Paglumotan, Reynold Iledan, Arturo Parre¤o, OIC-City Accountant Ed Ravena, OIC-City Treasurer Anabelle Badayos and Efren Canlas of Hilmarc's Construction Corporation (HCC).
In the other case, the accused were almost the same in the technical malversation except for Badayos and Ravena but including now Councilor Marx Louie de la Rosa.
Under technical malversation, the complainant cited as violation the act of the councilors in passing the Appropriation Ordinance No.19, series of 2007, at the instant of the mayor appropriating the amount of P84,874,684.80 to fund various social projects of the city.
Said amount is to be taken from the P394 million appropriated fund solely for the construction of the new government center.
Eduardo believed that the conversion of the appropriated fund for the construction of the new government center to various social projects of the city, constitutes technical malversation.
On violation of PD 1445, Eduardo cited the conduct of the bidding and signing of a contract on Dec. 27, 2006 and the ratification of it on Dec. 28, 2006 in the absence of an appropriation ordinance.
Based on record, the passage of Appropriation Ordinance No. 17, series of 2007, meant for the said project was only approved on September 25, 2007, appropriating P394 million solely for the project.
None from the accused can be reached for comment Wednesday night.
