Accused ready to face probe, was absent due to sickness

One of the two abstractors alleged to have manipulated cedulas, or community tax certificates, clarified she did not evade the investigation especially when she no longer reported for work when the issue broke out.

The abstractor, who was temporarily assigned collector when the alleged manipulation took place, told the media that she merely went to a doctor, as she was sick that time. She also presented a medical certificate to prove her claim.

She said she is willing to face the parallel investigation presently conducted by the city government and the National Bureau of Investigation.

While both she and the other abstractor were no longer seen at work when the issue broke out, she said they never agreed to be absent during that time. What she knows is that her officemate was due to deliver a baby within that week.

The other day, Cash Division chief Esterlita Garido, the immediate superior of the two abstractors also said she will cooperate with the investigation to make sure that all bases are covered by the parallel investigations.

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 already happened in the 80's, the same fear shared by city administrator Francisco Fernandez. Camarillo already submitted her report of the anomaly to Mayor Tomas Osmeña the other day.

The abstractors have only been with the city for two years as casual employees. The discrepancies were found in the copies of the community tax certificates of four companies including 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.

Aside from the two abstractors, Fernandez said they have also identified another employee assigned at 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. - Joeberth M. Ocao