Aquino’s financial report up on June 30
A city hall official defended Councilor Nicanor Aquino from the charge that he refuses to account for the monies he received from donors, sponsors and the city government for the Bangus Festival last April.
Emi Bamba, executive officer of Mayor Benjamin Lim, said the councilor has asked that he be given sufficient time to submit the report as he is still in the process of concluding his financial report.
He said the councilor promised to file the report on or before June 30, 2006. However, Aquino could not be reached to confirm this.
Bamba, who admitted to be helping Aquino prepare the report, said it is not easy to prepare such a report since expenses and receipts have to be consolidated before making the summary report.
Bamba refused to give details of the report that he is handling but gave the assurance that the summary report will be completed and submitted by Aquino to the Sanggunian Panlungsod.
Local media have criticized Aquino for his alleged refusal to account for the monies he received for the Bangus Festival, including the expenses that were incurred.
Aquino has so far failed to submit a financial report for the 2004 city fiesta as hermano mayor.
Initial reports reaching the PUNCH indicated that Aquino’s committee received P2.3 million from the city government for the Bangus Festival despite the millions received by Aquino from event sponsors. According to city hall insiders, the release of the sum is illegal and a violation of the local government code unless the city council approved the release in an ordinance.
The amount was reportedly also used to cover the accommodation expenses of selected visitors who came for the festival.
Meanwhile, Luz De Guzman, city budget officer, recalled that during the preparation for Bangus Festival, the executive committee had requested financial assistance on many occasions but no explanations were provided for the funds requested.
De Guzman stressed that Aquino must now present his financial report to dispel negative speculations about his handling of the event’s funds. – AQL
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