Friday, August 17, 2007 (Philippines)

Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia, with the “Bayani” or Grand Cross, was second top awardee given the Order of Lakandula awards for their help in hosting the Asean summit last January. Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo got the highest rank, “Supremo” or Grand Collar. Ambassador Marciano Paynor got the rank “Marangal na Pinuno” or Grand Officer. Those who got presidential medals of merit were Garcia’s chief of staff Elizabeth Francia, Mayors Tomas Osmeña and Arturo Radaza and former mayor Tadeo Ouano, and Reps. Raul del Mar, Antonio Cuenco, and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz. (Sun.star photo/Amper Campaña) ELEVEN towns in Cebu Province incurred P16.3 million in unliquidated cash advances last year. Findings of unliquidated cash advances are almost a mainstay of government audit reports year after year. The Commission on Audit (COA) report for 2006 operations of 11 towns showed that most of the unliquidated cash advances were released for intelligence funds and for seminars and travel expenses of municipal officials. The cash advances accumulated because despite the yearly reminder from COA, cash advances were still released to people who have yet to liquidate previous advances. [full story]