Friday, August 18, 2006 (Philippines)

Firefighters point to the spot where remains of Necesaria Caray, 65, were found. Her husband Cirilo who went out to buy medicine had locked the door to keep away intruders. The fire erupted near the site of the Cebu International Convention Center. (Sun.star photo/Arni Aclao) Previous warnings from the Commission on Audit (COA) did not prevent 14 Cebu towns from giving allowances to members of their bids and awards committee (BAC) from unauthorized funding sources, prompting COA to demand immediate refunds. Also, the perennial problem on the officials’ failure to liquidate cash advances, and their treasurers’ practice of granting them more, still hounded 21 towns in Cebu. Officials of the 21 towns have yet to clear a total of P23.5 million in government money released to them, while the 14 municipalities’ unauthorized BAC allowances amounted to P2.43 million. [full story]