FOR the beautification projects implemented by Capitol, Gov. Hilario Davide III, Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero and Provincial Treasurer Emmanuel Guial are facing more complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas.
It’s for the P1.5 million released to Barangay Kawasan, Aloguinsan, and the P1 million to P1.5 million released to each of eight barangays in Pinamungajan in southwestern Cebu.
Sued along with the Capitol officials are nine barangay captains and nine barangay treasurers. They are from Barangays Kawasan in Aloguinsan and Barangays Binabag, Cabiangon, Camugao, Lamac, Opao, Tajao, Tupas and Tutay in Pinamungajan.
The complaint for malversation of public funds stemmed from Davide and Sanchez’s release of P40 million for the beautification project called Gasa sa Kabarangayan, wherein the barangay captains were given P1 million but were told to return P750,000 to a Capitol official. The P250,000 was supposed to be given to street sweepers for two or three days of work.
All barangays that received the P1 million or P1.5 million are allies of Davide and Sanchez. The money were released days before the campaign period started.
One Cebu legal head Mel Abnir Amadora, cited that the officials until now have not been able to present proof of the regularity of the disbursement. Also, residents of these barangays did not notice any beautification project that could have reached millions. (PR)