Mandaue execs call on media to be fair

Mandaue City officials have called on the media to be responsible in their reporting by getting each side of the story they are writing about.

This developed as city administrator Serafin Blanco branded as "irresponsible journalism to the highest degree" the series of reports that appeared in local newspapers (not The Freeman) allegedly putting the city in bad light.

Blanco was referring to the news reports about the city officials' unliquidated cash advances and other procurements that appeared in the annual report of the Commission on Audit.

However, the reports failed to include COA's exit report that also stated the side of the concerned officials on their deficiencies.

Blanco cited for instance the news report about his P685,000 unliquidated advances, claiming that the writer did not bother to ask him or read the COA exit report showing that he had already liquidated the amount.

"They are just sensationalizing the report in order to sell their paper. They should take time to interview the officials concerned especially the issue involved public funds, which is a very sensitive topic," Blanco said.

Mayor Thadeo Ouano said the exit report was most likely not included in the COA findings because the news report will no longer be sensational the way the newspaper would like it to appear.

"The news reports that came out kay slanted kaayo. Ang ako-a lang hangyo nga media should be fair in their reporting. Dili kay mo publish og news nga way side ang pikas," Ouano said.

COA regional cluster director Helen Hilayo, in her letter addressed to Delfin Aguilar, Visayas cluster director IV of COA's Local Government Sector, stated that the city's financial position as of December 2005 and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year ended in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles. - Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon