On manipulated cedulas: CH execs welcome probe of 2 employees

The head of the two City Hall employees who were allegedly involved in an anomaly at the City Treasurer's Office is open to submit herself into a parallel investigation being conducted by the city government and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Cash division chief Esterlita Garido, the immediate superior of the two abstractors discovered to have allegedly manipulated community tax certificates, yesterday said she is willing to undergo investigation to ensure that all basis are covered by the probe.

Garido is confident that the truth will come out and she would be cleared of any liabilities.

City treasurer Tessie Camarillo yesterday said they are looking into a possible syndicate considering that the same anomaly had already happened in the 1980s, an observation that was also shared by City Administrator Francisco Fernandez.

Camarillo has already submitted her report of the matter to Mayor Tomas Osmeña the other day.

The abstractors, both females, have only been with the city government for two years as casual employees. Camarillo said when the alleged anomaly happened the two were reportedly temporarily assigned as collectors.

The discrepancies were found in the copies of the community tax certificates of four companies: Axcess Pharma, Dayang Xiyi Phil. Inc., Best Choice Home Realty Development Corporation, and PC Wise Corporation.

Camarillo said what was supposed to be a P500 fee for the certificate was only stipulated at P38.94 in the second and third copies.

Even after the alleged anomalies were discovered, Garido said the two employees still reported for work the other day but reportedly left the office when they sensed the media have been following up the story.

Aside from the two abstractors, Fernandez said they have also identified another employee, assigned to the market authority, who allegedly falsified permits to stall owners.

Aside from those already discovered, Fernandez said they have already received reports of alleged forging of signatures in permits being issued to establishments.

Osmeña said that once proven guilty, the employees would face no less than termination. "We don't forgive these things. It's very hard to give a second chance." - Joeberth M. Ocao/LPM