Madridejos VM sues ABC head for graft

CEBU - Madridejos Vice Mayor Doroteo Salazar has filed criminal complaints for graft and corruption and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards against the town’s Association of Barangay Councils president for allegedly collecting a travel allowance for a seminar in Tagaytay City that he did not attend last year.

Salazar has charged Councilor Doroteo Dorimon with violations of the Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and R.A. 6713, otherwise known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas.

The complaint stemmed from Dorimon’s alleged collecting more than P20,000 from the municipal government for his supposed trip to Tagaytay City in November last year.

Salazar said the Department of Interior and Local Government has issued a circular exhorting all members of the Sangguniang Bayan in all municipalities to attend a seminar on Local Legislation and Gender Development held in November 26 to 28, 2007. The Municipality of Madridejos was one of the municipalities that responded to the invitation and required all members of the municipal council to attend.

According to Salazar, they required all councilors, including Dorimon, an ex-officio member of the town council for being the president of the ABC, to pay a non-refundable deposit for board and lodging in the amount of P5,800.

Salazar said that except for him, all other members of the council applied for a cash advance representing the expenses to and from Tagaytay City including honorarium per day in the amount of P15, 127.80.

However, in spite of their receipt of the cash advance for the trip, Dorimon and Councilor Emelita Gabito, allegedly did not attend the seminar.

Salazar alleged that the two councilors “did not leave Madridejos and spent the money for their personal use.”

Discontented with the P15,127.80 he received as cash advance even if he did not attend the seminar, Dorimon allegedly demanded a refund of the P5,800 he deposited for the board and lodging.

Salazar said that without his knowledge, his staff gave Dorimon the refund, which was allegedly taken from the vice mayor’s salary.

The complainant said he demanded a liquidation of the expenses but the two councilors allegedly failed to do it.

Salazar however did not include Gabito in the criminal and administrative complaint he filed before the anti-graft office.

The complainant has asked the Ombudsman that Dorimon be made to suffer the consequences of his actions by meting him the proper administrative and criminal sanctions, and prayed that the defendant will be suspended or dismissed from the service. — Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)