The first time

 

OVER the past months, the Ombudsman has been busy indicting past local government officials who failed to liquidate cash advances for various purposes, whether for projects or charity. The sums cited as unliquidated and accountable ranged from a seeming paltry P250,000 to mind-boggling P20 million!

In Dagupan City, the city accountant and city auditor have started sending demand letters to recipients of “financial assistance” for various purposes for the period 2010-2013. The list includes civic, sectoral, business and professional groups. The total outstanding unliquidated sum amounts to P31.8 million. Apparently, these groups believe they don’t have to take the demand letters seriously because only a few responded. Obviously, many are under the impression that nobody gets jailed, as in the past, for failing to account for monies they received from the city’s coffers. While that may be true, it is also a fact that this is the first time the Ombudsman has been noted to be filing a record number of indictments against persons who pocketed public funds without any explanation.

Then, perhaps unknown to them, too, is the fact that there was already a recommendation for the filing of administrative and criminal cases for unliquidated sums as of 2011 which is now a subject for evaluation by the city auditor.

The other local government units in the province that have generously extended the use of public funds to projects of “friends of the mayor” are also on notice.

There may not have been someone they to have been prosecuted and jailed, but there is always a first time, and they can very well be the first.

 

*          *          *          *          *          *

Binay bombs out

 

FIRST, Vice President Jojo Binay said he will never attend a Senate hearing probing allegations he made kickbacks and illegally acquired properties while he was mayor of Makati.  Second, he dared Sen. Trillanes to a debate.  And third, he assailed what he called was the mismanagement style of some of President Aquino’s men.  But he changed his mind and hinted at attending the Senate Blue Ribbon—only to back out at the last minute by flying to Cebu on the day of his scheduled appearance.

When Trillanes accepted the challenge, Binay dilly-dallied.  After attacking P-Noy’s men, the President retorted:  “If you disagree with us, you are free to leave.”  Binay, a Cabinet member, did not leave; he and P-Noy didn’t even shake hands during a Cabinet meeting at the Palace on Wednesday.  So what’s happening?  Nothing.

Just a case of Binay bombing out.  Consistently.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments