Thursday, November 22, 2007 Councilor says mayor of Ronda misused funds
AFTER his disqualification, Ronda, Cebu Mayor Esteban Sia is facing a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
In his letter, Councilor Jonnah John Ungab said that the filing of the complaint stemmed from the account of some town officials who sought his assistance, fearing they will be at risk of administrative and criminal liability if the practice continues.
Based on the information relayed to Ungab, non-employees of the local government unit allegedly drew cash advances against municipal funds.
He cited the case of a woman who made cash advances of P30,000 and until now failed to liquidate the amount.
Also, the municipality allegedly has been paying trips and expenses of private individuals.
Sun.Star Cebu is withholding the names of these persons until they submit their comments.
The letter also accused Mayor Sia of claiming reimbursement expenses and for fuel loaded in a private car when he is receiving from the municipality representation allowance and travel allowance.
The mayor allegedly purchased second-hand computers using realigned funds without council resolution.
Also, payments were made to the brother and sister of the mayor for the expenses incurred during the town’s fiesta and for printing expenses.
“All these disbursements are made without any knowledge or consent of the Sanggunian in the form of resolution or ordinance,” the complaint said.
“If true, these information and allegations are an indication of gross fiscal mismanagement and place the municipality in great disadvantage,” Ungab said.
Ungab admitted that except for the documents relating to the travel expenses of one private person, he has no documents to support the information relayed to him.
He alleged that the municipal treasurer refused to provide him with the papers.
This is because Sia issued a memorandum prohibiting all department heads and employees from giving documents and appearing before the town council without the mayor’s authority. (KNT)
