Cebu - San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya is now facing criminal and administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas due to her alleged failure to provide books and computers to Sangat National High School.
Sangat Barangay Captain Conigunda Enriquez has charged Reluya with violation of the Republic Act 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and grave misconduct and dishonesty.
Enriquez revealed that Sangat National High School is the recipient of used books and computers that were donated by a certain Racquel Enad, one of the residents of Sangat who is now living in the United States.
The barangay captain said that they are the named recipient in the deed of donation, bill of lading as stated in the documents issued by the Philippine Consulate in California.
She further alleged that Reluya failed to inform the school that the donation already arrived last May and that the donations were already opened without the presence of the school officials of Sangat National High School.
The school principal was only informed in June, several days after the arrival of the donation.
When the donation was delivered to Sangat, the documents that show how many computers and books were delivered to the school were already missing.
“It is clear therefore, the illegal act of respondent mayor has caused injury not only to the Sangat National High School but also to hundreds of its students,” Enriquez said.
Enriquez asked the Ombudsman to conduct an investigation into the case that she had filed so that proper action will be taken.
“I further respectfully pray that pending investigation of this case in order not to give undue advantage to respondent Municipal Mayor to influence the witnesses, the said respondent be preventively suspended from office,” Enriquez said in her complaint. — Jasmin R. Uy/WAB (THE FREEMAN)