Thursday, August 19, 2004 Gwen asks PB for stricter rules on release of funds for NGOs
WITH the disallowed disbursement of P5 million for a bogus nongovernment organization (NGO), Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia hopes the new Provincial Board (PB) will come up with “more stringent and stricter” rules on NGO accreditation.
This, as Garcia assured she will “learn from the past” and scrutinize each contract or agreement that she enters into even if the PB grants her authority.
As this developed, the governor called for a general assembly of the more than 200 NGOs and peoples’ organizations (POs) the Province has accredited.
Plan
The assembly will include an election of representatives who will sit in the Local Development Council.
The council, where representatives from 20 NGOs will have seats, is set to convene next month to draft the Province’s annual investment plan (AIP).
The drafting of the AIP is part of the preparations for the 2005 executive budget that will be submitted to the PB this October.
As for Perdido Lex Foundation’s disallowance, Garcia said she will just “let the entire process continue,” considering that the persons liable still have a chance to file a motion for reconsideration before the Commission on Audit (COA) regional and national offices.
Among these persons is her father, former governor Pablo Garcia.
COA issued a notice of disallowance on the P5 million released to Perdido Lex, whose officials have yet to surface.
Capitol was also able to release to the foundation, through the Barili Municipal Government, P270,000.
Listed as persons liable were former governor Garcia for approving the transaction; former vice governor John Gregory Osmeña for certifying that the transaction was necessary and lawful; and all 15 members of the previous PB for accrediting the organization even if it did not meet all requirements.
COA considered the disbursement, supposedly for Perdido’s “Touch Young Minds” program, a massive computerization project for Cebu, extravagant.
Capitol feud
The amount released was charged against Osmeña’s Countrywide Development Project (CDP) allowance, and the checks, whose release was facilitated by his then chief of staff, were deposited in a bank located in the same building where the vice governor lived.
In answering allegations that he was behind the bogus foundation, Osmeña had pointed a finger at then Capitol consultant and now Governor as being behind the scheme.
Osmeña asked reporters: 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?
In response, Garcia had produced a letter that Osmeña addressed to Provincial Accountant Marieto Ypil, saying he “takes full responsibility” for the disbursement.
A case before the anti-graft office over the issue has yet to be resolved. (JPM)
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