|
Thursday, January 22, 2004
John-john blames Gwen for project on computerization
By Jeanette P. Malinao
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
CEBU Vice Gov. John Gregory Osmeña disclosed that it was Gwendolyn Garcia who broached the idea of the computerization program, which reportedly went to a non-existent foundation, when they were still chummy more than a year ago.
In fact, Osmeña pointed out, who would have the power to put a P5-million increase in his discretionary funds for the purpose, the authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with the foundation and disburse money, but Capitol’s executive department?
“She is behind this,” Osmeña told reporters.
NBI probe
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 Executive Director Nelson Bartolome yesterday confirmed that the agency is looking into the issue.
But Bartolome could not reveal the details of the investigation as NBI agent Renato Mandawe, who is handling the case, was already out of the office. But he remembered it was from an anonymous letter asking that Osmeña be investigated for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Gwendolyn, for her part, said she doesn’t want to “engage in a catfight with the vice governor.”
“If that were my idea, why would I go through the circuitous path of putting allocation in his discretionary funds when there are enough funds under the Office of the Governor? He should sober up and come up with a better defense. Di ko makigbugno niya uy,” Gwendolyn said.
“If he will not stop telling lies about me, I will start telling the truth about him,” she added.
The governor, meanwhile, said Osmeña is lying and produced a letter that the vice governor issued to Provincial Accountant Marieto Ypil.
The letter “directed” Ypil to release the money even without requirements such as liquidation of the P4.1 million previously released.
Pre-meditated
“I will tell the legal department to look into this,” said Gov. Pablo Garcia.
The vice governor said he does not know of the incorporators of Perdido Lex Foundation Inc.
Had it been his dummy, he would have been “smart enough” not to place his office number and his cook in the papers, he pointed out.
“This is pre-meditated and designed to steer media to me. It’s a well-thought out and well-put together plan,” he said.
Perdido Lex was able to “consume” P4.1 million in Capitol funds for supposedly commissioning a province-wide project study to survey the “computer educational needs of the province.”
The amount also included “contracting” All Nations Publishing Company Inc. to produce a “tentative master textbook” that would be ready for printing.
The foundation got an agreement with Governor Garcia last Dec. 9, 2002 to “embark on an intensified campaign for computer education for the economically marginalized members of the province.”
Osmeña pointed to Garcia as responsible for the agreement, but Garcia said he signed the document because of an authority from the Provincial Board (PB).
Osmeña also said he signed the vouchers for the foundation because it came to him after it went through all the processes at the Capitol.
It was PB Member Victor Maambong, as head of the committee on nongovernment organization accreditation, who authored the resolution accrediting Perdido Lex.
But Osmeña’s denial of involvement in the issue was betrayed by his memorandum to Ypil dated April 4, 2003.
“You are hereby directed to dispense the requirement… for the accomplishment report for the P4.1 million earlier released to (Perdido Lex).
The undersigned, thus, take full responsibility for the compliance of said requirement at a later date.”
“You are hereby ordered to release in full the subsequent financial assistance in the amount of P3 million the soonest time possible…” the memo added.
The vice governor reportedly called Ypil everyday to follow up the release, and allegedly threatened to assign Ypil far from Cebu when he becomes governor.
Seeking the local finance committee’s advise about Osmeña’s “order,” the committee, comprising Capitol’s fiscal administrators, issued on the same day a recommendation against the release of the money.
(January 22, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
