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Thursday, March 16, 2006
P60 million loan issue is politically motivated
By Jimmy P. Abayon and Neil C. Rio
THE Canlaon City Council said his clients believe the complaints lodged against them before the Ombudsman for the Visayas in connection with the P60 million loan issue were "politically motivated."
Lawyer Arturo Dupio echoed his clients' sentiments after filing their counter-complaints before the Ombudsman last March 10.
Dupio said the complainants' issue before the Ombudsman was questionable because it did not include the name of other municipal employees who also availed of the loan.
He said his clients believe that the complaint were in preparation for the 2007 elections, "if there will be an election."
For his part, Canlaon City Councilor Hernani Blanco, brother of Mayor Judith Cardenas, said his sister was only prompted by her desire to help the people.
"Lain ba diay na'ng makatabang ta sa atong isigka-tawo?" Blanco asked.
He said all they knew was that the mayor had asked for authority to enter into a memorandum of agreement with Development Bank of the Philippines San Carlos City to grant a salary loan to all officers and employees of the City Government.
Moreover, Blanco said, the practice is standard operation procedure of all Local Government Units and is based on their net take home pay, "no more, no less."
Corazon Javier, a member of the Canlaon People's Rights Movement (CPRM), and Guia Advincula, a participant of the Office of the Ombudsman's Whistleblowing and Tipping Project-focused Group discussion, said Canlaon City accused the mayor, the City Council officials and six employees of violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees Act, and the Revised Penal Code.
Both petitioned the Ombudsman to suspend the 20 officials and employees to prevent them from intimidating and harassing witnesses and to protect the official records of the City Government from being falsified or tampered.
The city councilors are Diego Santiago, Jose Chubasco Cardenas, Aldin Avila, Edgar Estampador, Roberto Bolo, Mamerto Bermil, Jr., Eric Suganob, Filomena Bascones, Amado de los Reyes, Hernani Blanco, Pedro Montero (ABC president), and Wagner Bekim Cardenas (SK).
Councilors Jose Chubaso Cardenas is the mayor's son, Hernani Blanco, her brother, and Wagner Bekim Cardenas, her nephew.
On the other hand, casual workers Clementino Llanes, Alejandro Mayagma, and Danilo Marques were the mayor's partymates who lost in 2004 race for city councilor.
In their criminal and administrative complaints, Javier and Advincula said on October 12 last year, Cardenas asked the City Council for authority to borrow P60 million from the DBP branch in San Carlos City for the livelihood projects of its officials and employees.
The loan would be payable in 42 months with the Canlaon City local government as a guarantor.
The resolution unanimously passed by the City Council on November 3, approved the mayor's request saying its purpose was to "uplift the economic well-being of its (Canlaon City) officials and employees."
Both said the loan was later released to the beneficiaries without the blessing of any appropriations measure from the City Council.
"The purpose for which the loan was being secured is shamelessly stated in the second 'Whereas' clause..." the complainants said.
Except for Cardenas, Vice Mayor Clerigo, city treasurer Luza, and city administrator Flores, the 12 city councilors, the three casual workers, and the acting Sanggunian secretary received their share of the loan ranging from de los Reyes's P800,000 to Marquez's P100,000.
(March 16, 2006 issue)
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