|
Friday, September 12, 2003
Group readies raps v. guv, others in 'scam'
GENERAL SANTOS -- Organizers of the Sarangani People's Action for Reform and Good Governance (Spare GoGo) said they are readying complaints against erring Sarangani provincial officials before the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Fr. Fred Maghanoy said they already have in their possession all the documents that will support the complaint they will file against Sarangani Gov. Miguel Escobar and several other Capitol officials and employees for allegedly robbing province of millions in funds.
Fr. Maghanoy is the parish priest of Alabel in Sarangani and head of Spare Gogo.
"Ang pagsumitir sa complaint ang tambag kanamo sa regional director sa DILG human ang pinakaulahing lihok protesta nga gihimo sa katawhan," Maghanoy explained. (The regional director of DILG advised us to submit a complaint after our last protest action.)Close to 10,000 people rallied at the gate of the provincial Capitol building Monday last week to denounce what they said was "systematic looting" of public funds in the Provincial Government.
Maghanoy said the DILG regional director assured him a decision would be rendered on their complaint in a month's time.
The parish priest believed DILG would act favorably on the complaint.
He also expects the DILG to place under preventive suspension all Sarangani officials named in complaint while its investigation is ongoing.
Maghanoy said they would also file graft charges against Governor Escobar and other officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Spare Gogo official likewise revealed they would launch another wave of protest actions against Escobar and other provincial officials to put pressure on government agencies now investigating the reported large-scale anomalies in the province.
Aside from Escobar, others who were named in the controversial fund scam are Vice Gov. Felipe Constantino, Provincial Board Members Margie Rudes, Eugene Alzate, Hernando Sibugan, Redempto Abiso, Teodorico Diaz, Juanito Purisima, Pyang Singcoy, Marlind Marcelo, Jesus Desidilla and Lelibeth Canillo.
Also identified by two Capitol employees who turned witnesses are Provincial Administrator Perla Maglinte, Provincial Accountant Maria Camanay, Provincial Treasurer Ceasar Cagang and Amelia Carmelo Constantino-Zoleta, daughter and executive assistant of the vice governor.
Escobar reportedly ordered the filing an administrative complaint against five Sarangani town mayors who showed up during the protest rally held last August 25 outside the gate of the provincial Capitol compound.
Escobar was angry that Alabel Mayor Narciso Grafilo gave protesters, led by Spare Gogo, a permit to rally without specifying the date and venue.
Aside from Grafilo, other town mayors named in the complaint of Escobar were Glan Mayor Enrique Yap jr., Kiamba Mayor Raul Martinez, Maasim Mayor Anecito Lopez Jr. and Alfonso Singcoy of Malapatan. From report of Merlyn F. Velarde
(September 12, 2003 issue) |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Bomb in airport training explodes; 6 hurt