AROUND P21 million worth of donations from the "Piso Mo, Hospital Ko" fund-raising project that the previous administration of the Cebu City Government initiated is still available.
The City Accounting Office issued a certification that the fund is still available.
“This is to certify that as per records of this office, the account Piso Mo, Hospital Ko with an account no. 20401010-023 as of December 31, 2018 has an outstanding balance amounting to P21,795,873.21,” read portion of the certification signed by acting City Accountant Mark Jason Tirol.
The certification was issued in response to the request of Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera.
In an interview, Pesquera said she requested for the certification to put an end to allegations that the money was no longer with the City.
“Because the trolls of the other camp are trying to poison the minds of the voters by way of misinformation that (former Mayor) Mike Rama used the money. When in truth and in fact the money is with the City Government,” she said.
The Piso Mo, Hospital Ko program was organized by Rama to gather donations from all walks of life for the reconstruction of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) that was damaged by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013.
In a Facebook post, Rama said he hopes that the document will clarify that he did not steal any money from the donation.
“Once again the truth has shed light against the lies being spread by our opponents. The money remains in the City’s Treasury. As I said before, as the elections get closer and closer, they will attempt to throw issue after issue and they will try to discredit the achievements of our administration. Let us stick to facts and remain critical against lies and black propaganda,” Rama added. (RVC)