|
Friday, September 02, 2005
P18M Clavel pork not liquidated by groups
By Jeanette P. Malinao
CEBU CITY -- Eighteen million pesos of Representative Clavel Martinez's pork barrel funds were distributed to non-government organizations (NGOs) last year without proper documentation such as a memorandum of agreement.
The amount, coursed through the Municipality of Bogo where her son is mayor, was for projects that the people's organizations failed to liquidate.
Of the P18 million, P12 million went to 21 people's organizations under the umbrella of the Northern Cebu Development Center Inc. (NCDCI), which was reportedly established by Clavel's husband, Celestino "Junie" Martinez Jr., in 1995 when he was still a congressman.
Of the 21 organizations, six are based in Bogo, five in Bantayan, two in Sta. Fe, while the rest are in San Remigio, Daanbantayan and Madridejos.
Sikap Yaman Foundation got the P6 million.
No accomplishment reports were submitted, so the Commission on Audit (COA), in its 2004 report for Bogo, said it could not determine whether the beneficiaries indeed received the amount, or whether these have been properly used.
In the same report, COA also pointed out Bogo's failure to submit the contracts for 10 infrastructure projects worth P10.4 million.
Also, Bogo "illegally" released honorarium for 13 members of its bids and awards committee, ranging from P1,000 to P4,500 per month.
Congresswoman Martinez could not be reached through her mobile phone Thursday night, but her son, Bogo Mayor Celestino "Tining" Martinez III, told Sun.Star Cebu that every project they implemented was in order.
He also said the total amount COA mentioned from his mother's discretionary funds was released not just last year, but this included releases in the previous years.
COA, in the report, said the purposes of the projects released as financial assistance to NGOs from Clavel's Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) could not be established.
COA instructed Bogo officials to institute "control measures" so "funds are not wasted."
Mayor Martinez revealed that some of the amount was coursed through the NCDCI, while others were given directly to the towns.
"I already spoke with the treasurer and told him to send a memorandum to the organization to give us a copy of the disbursement. They are now trying to comply with the liquidation," the mayor said.
As for the absence of contracts for infrastructure projects that COA cited, Mayor Martinez said the undertakings were implemented through contracts; it's just that some were executed before the council ratified them.
"These were all covered with existing contracts, but there were some that did not follow the (correct sequence of procedures) so COA told us not to do it again," he said.
"We are sure that papers are in order, it's just a matter of submitting these to the auditor," he further said.
The infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation of roads and water systems, were sourced from local funds, Clavel's discretionary funds, and some were "national grants," the mayor disclosed.
Because Bogo failed to submit contracts for review, COA could not establish whether the projects and their implementation were not "contrary to laws, morals, good customs, public order and public policy."
As for the honoraria, the COA cited that Bogo gave a total of P277,299 for the year, which was illegally charged against the general fund.
Budget Circular 2004-5 provides that honorarium for the bids and awards committee (BAC) must be sourced from 50 percent of their collection from sale of bid documents, among others.
Mayor Martinez explained that there was an earlier circular that served as basis for the release of BAC honoraria. The new circular came much later, and this will be what they will tell COA in their explanation to justify the releases.
However, Martinez added, if COA will not accept their justification, he will just tell Bogo's administrator to issue a memorandum for concerned officials to refund these, he said.
Earlier, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal reportedly asked what Congresswoman Martinez did with her pork barrel funds after she pushed for the creation of a Cebu del Norte.
Both Clavel and her son accused the Provincial Government of taking the fourth district towns for granted, so there is a need to create a new province, they said.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in reply, asked how the Martinez family managed the towns in the district with their many years of rule there. (Sun.Star Cebu)
(September 2, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Expanded VAT law valid, SC rules 15 to 0