CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Supervising and Management Specialist Jenina Pineda of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) appeared before the Provincial Board (PB) Monday to deny statements attributed to herby Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu.
The issue stemmed from Dabu’s letter to the DBM on December 29 addressed to Director Elisa Salon, wherein the provincial administrator claimed that it was upon the advice of the agency and Pineda that the “Governor returned an ordinance to the PB and without action and merely taking note thereof.”
The said ordinance is the controversial legislation enacted by the PB that seeks to appropriate P20,000 extra cash gift to each of the Capitol employees.
It could be recalled that Governor Eddie Panlilio promised to give a P10, 000 across-the-board bonus and another P10,000 performance evaluation bonus to Capitol employees, which was approved by the PB.
Panlilio, who is now asking the PB to revoke the ordinance, deferred the release of the P10,000 extra cash gift. He also recently returned the ordinance to the PB without acting on it.
Pineda, who was invited by the PB, said that she did not tell Dabu about such action and that she was merely communicating with her through text messaging and phone conversation.
“I did not tell her to do that. Besides, I was quoted through a phone conversation, which is not the official statement of the DBM. It is usual practice that we entertain questions of local government officials on budgetary matters but we always impress on them that the official stand of the DBM will always the one that is signed by the regional director,” Pineda said.
Pineda said that she also texted Dabu and her opinions are merely “in her personal capacity” and do not represent the DBM.
PB Presiding officer Vice Governor Joseller “Yeng” Guiao asked Pineda to categorically put her denial on a letter addressed to the PB.
Guiao said it is very disturbing that Dabu would quote “mere phone conversations” and use these as basis for action on very critical issue.
“We are asking the DBM to put this clarification in a form of a letter so that it could be properly acted upon by the PB,” Guiao said.
Guiao added that he is urging Panlilio to caution Dabu from looking for ways not to implement the ordinance.
Meanwhile, Sun.Star tried to get Dabu’s comment on the issue but she was in a meeting, one of her staff said. (IOF)