Saturday, September 13, 2008 Nalzaro: Rama should quit from his foundation post By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
THE only way the Sinulog Foundation can still avail of a financial assistance from the Cebu City Government for the annual Sinulog grand parade is for Vice Mayor Michael Rama to resign as foundation chairman. This will solve the foundation's financial woes and prevent the scrapping of the Sinulog.
The new circular of the Commission on Audit (COA) does not bar local government units (LGUs) from giving aid to festivals, which promote local tourism. It only prohibits LGUs from providing financial help to non-government organizations (NGOs) and foundations whose incorporators, directors, organizers and officers are related to any local official or officials who are involved in the approval or release of funds.
COA came up with the new guideline after it noted instances where NGOs and foundations are used by corrupt public officials as conduit in their scheme to pocket government funds. They channel public funds to dubious NGOs and foundations in the form of donations and financial aid. From there, it is easier to pocket the money.
Remember the Perdido Lex Foundation, which was organized by former Cebu vice governor John Gregory Osmeña? Perdido, whose incorporators include some members of the vice governor’s staff and his house help, claimed that it intended to help public schools acquire computer units for its computer literacy program. It got financial aid from the Provincial Government and then was not heard from since.
Another example was the Kasosyo Foundation headed by the late radioman Wilfredo “Bebie” Camomot and whose listed office address was the clinic of former third district congressman Antonio Yapha, a doctor. Its avowed purpose was to help farmers obtain loans from the government to buy farm inputs like fertilizers.
Kasosyo got financial assistance from the government for the purchase of liquid fertilizers through an exclusive supplier. But the price of the fertilizers was too high. Reports said money siphoned from the multimillion peso transaction was used by administration candidates to finance their campaign in the 2004 elections. Like the Perdido, Kasosyo eventually disappeared.
More objectionable was the case of a woman legislator who deposited pork barrel funds in her personal bank account.
All these cases were investigated by the local anti-graft office but until now nothing has been heard of them. The ombudsman failed to resolve the cases and hail the culprits to the court. Kining maong mga kaso, mahulog lang sa bung-aw ug dayon katunaw.
But back to the Sinulog. People should not worry that the Sinulog grand parade’s colorful presentation will be cancelled because, aside from City Hall’s financial aid, other government entities like the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) and local companies are willing to give donations. Assistance of the national government through the Department of Tourism can also be tapped, after all Sinulog is not only about Cebu but about the Philippines.
As for Rama, he will become a hero if he sacrifices himself by quitting from the foundation. Unsa ba goy naa diha Mike nga ikaw ra may babag sa hinabang? Resign na lang, tutal sa 2010 mayor na bitaw ka. Feeling mayor na man gani ka karon.
