City Council wants update on NBI probe of dumped dollars

CEBU - The City Council has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to furnish them a status report of its probe on the dollar bills found at the Inayawan Landfill.

In a resolution penned by Councilor Edgardo Labella, the council said it should be made aware of the status of the investigation, especially that Inayawan barangay captain Rustom Ignacio has been dragged into the issue.

“It would do well to emphasize that only through a no-nonsense investigation that those involved in the alleged lost money trail can be brought to the bar of justice,” the resolution reads.

Napoleon Ursabia, a scavenger at the landfill who found the sack that contained the dollar bills, earlier said he turned over some of the money to Ignacio, which the latter denied.

Labella said that if allegations against Ignacio are true, Ignacio is obliged to return the bills otherwise he can be charged for dishonesty and may be removed from his post.

The City Council has the authority to discipline elected barangay officials.

Meanwhile, Councilor Gerardo Carillo of the South District said the City Council should not jump into conclusions and due process should be accorded to Ignacio. After all, the owner of the dollar bills has not filed a formal complaint but merely sought assistance for the return of the money.

Some of the missing dollar bills are already with the NBI.

The bills landed at the landfill after the owner’s house help has mistaken as garbage the sack that contained the bills. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO (THE FREEMAN)