FORMER barangay chairman Melchor Caluag of Dolores in the City of San Fernando has took the initiative of filing a case against the said city's local chief executive Edwin Santiago before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged overpricing of goods purchased during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.
To be specific, Santiago was accused of violations of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, particularly Sec. 3 (g), (e), and (f) and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Practices for Public Officials and Employees.
It can be easily recalled that local government units (LGUs) have purchased relief goods composed mostly of food packs, alcohol, disinfectants, face masks and others in response to the strict lockdown that was ordered by the national government due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Because everyone were told to stay inside their homes, many were forced to stop reporting to their workplaces and businesses were halted.
Due to the lockdown, local government units were generous to giving dole-out relief goods thus the word "ayuda" became popular due to the actions of LGUs in somehow mitigating its effects. In some municipalities, relief-giving has been made a weekly activity while residents were forced to stay in their residences while the onslaught of the pandemic.
There is nothing wrong with the giving out of relief goods to residents of their respective LGUs. In fact, it is the obligation of our local officials to look for the welfare of their constituents during disasters and emergencies. To comply to their duties, LGUs had made some purchases to feed hungry mouths. What is wrong, if the allegations are accurate, is the overpricing of the goods that were purchased for the people.
A Facebook post which supported the allegations against the City Mayor said, "piritu da kata mu keng sariling taba". Quite serious for an accusation, some people seemed to be dismayed by the alleged overpricing made while we are in a global-scale health emergency.
If true, the irregular act is so untimely as the world is keeping its battle against the pandemic. This is not the time to get something that is ought to be given to helpless people who cannot make a living because of the lockdown and the stoppage of various economic activities.
Caluag when he filed his complaint before the graft investigation body, was accompanied by Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño, a good way of showing force and seriousness of the complaint filed.
Among those charged meanwhile are City Accountant Ma. Gisselle Rivera, General Services Office chief Michael Quizon, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Aileen Villanueva and City Health Officer Dr. Renaly Tungol. They were filed with the complaint for they might have the hands in the purchase of the goods that were alleged to have been overpriced.
Meanwhile, Mayor Santiago has denied the alleged overpricing of goods. He even avers that the city is a recipient of various awards for transparency and financial administration. In time he said, he will answer the charges filed against him while even bragging that every transactions made in the said purchase of goods was above board.
Since the case has already been filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, let us wait for the outcome of the investigation in the alleged anomalous purchase of goods that were intended for Fernandinos who are likewise victims of the pandemic.
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