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Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Governor's camp desperate: Gallar
By Lory Ann B. Bilbao
PROVINCIAL Board Member Emmanuel Gallar Tuesday assailed the camp of Governor Niel Tupas for claiming as irregular his earlier attempt to seek reimbursement for his office's P51,000 catering expenses during a consultative assembly.
"It's a desperate move. They just want me dragged into an anomaly," Gallar said. "It's also a political harassment because I oppose their illegal transactions."
Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada had accused Gallar of attempted theft for allegedly trying to seek a reimbursement for an activity, which did not benefit the Provincial Government.
Mejorada claimed the supporting documents passed through his office in December but he saw that some papers were questionable particularly the attendance sheet. Some of the participants about 250 wrote their name twice, he said.
He also questioned the venue, Cabatuan covered gym, stated in the papers but Gallar later said the venue was transferred to a restaurant in Sta. Barbara.
Mejorada said he then asked Gallar's office to submit correct documents but the board member just decided not claim for a refund.
Gallar said in a radio interview he is now paying the P51,000 in an installment basis.
"Wala ako kakuha kwarta nila (I never took their money)," he said, adding that he is just being singled out by Tupas because of his exposés against the governor's alleged irregular activities.
Gallar said he doesn't consider Mejorada's claim an issue, as the Provincial Government hasn't incurred any expense.
"Boy Mejorada is just protecting the governor since he earns his living from him (governor). I don't mind him because he's just an appointed official. If he gets elected, then I would mind him," he said.
The board member said he is willing to face the case Mejorada is eyeing to file against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Gallar previously belonged to the governor's party but they had a falling away late last year after he accused Tupas of involvement in questionable deals relative to the construction of Iloilo's airport of international standards.
All quarry operators are "allegedly controlled by Tupas family members and associates," according to Gallar.
The governor had admitted the construction company owned by his daughter-in-law's father based in Bukidnon rented out an equipment to one of the quarry operators.
(June 1, 2005 issue)
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