Wednesday, August 13, 2008 PB to file technical malversation rap vs Panlilio
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Board (PB) said it is set to file charges of technical malversation against Governor Eddie Panlilio for allegedly using funds of the Office of the Governor for the operations of other units in the Provincial Government.
During Monday's session, PB presiding officer and Vice Governor Joseller Guiao asked the provincial finance officers to provide the documents regarding the use of the funds of the Office of the Governor for the funding of the Management Information System (MIS), Provincial Information Office (PIO), and the Biyaya A Luluguran at Sisikapan (Balas).
Guiao said the documents would be enough to "implicate" the governor in the alleged technical malversation. He said Panlilio's use of funds for the Capitol offices lead to the depletion of the funds of the governor's office.
This fact was admitted by Panlilio during the dialogue with the PB last July 21 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center here.
"We will be filing a case against the governor," Guiao told members of the local finance led by Juanito Isip, assistant provincial budget officer. The finance officers attended the session to answer questions from the PB.
The governor has also requested for a supplemental budget to fund further expenses and provide additional salary for Capitol employees.
But Guiao said the usual practice in requesting for additional budget is around 10 percent of the original fund.
It was found out that Panlilio's budget for maintenance and other operating expenses was pegged at P9.5 million. The governor later requested for an additional budget of P13 million which Guiao said is bigger than the original budget.
Guaio said funds should be protected from being shifted from one office to another.
For his part, Panlilio defended his action by saying that the offices were not separate departments but units under the Office of the Governor.
"We are all for transparency, if they want to file charges that is their choice," Panlilio said, adding that the executive department will provide the documents being requested by the PB. (IOF)
