Baquerfo criticized over case vs. Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of Tudela town in Camotes Island criticized Rogelio Baquerfo Sr., one of the two men claiming the town mayor’s post, for filing criminal and administrative charges against Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other provincial officials.

“He is not helping and he is making the situation in Tudela worst,” Vice Mayor Clint Maratas said yesterday.

Baquerfo has recently filed criminal and administrative charges for malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Garcia, provincial treasurer Roy Salubre and provincial accountant Marieto Ypil for allegedly withdrawing more than P4 million from the municipal coffers without authority.

The withdrawal was allegedly done prior to the effectivity of the memorandum of agreement, which he and Demetrio Granada, who also claims to be the legitimate mayor of Tudela, entered into authorizing the governor to pay the wages of all the job order workers that he appointed as well as those appointed by Granada.

The MOA, Baquerfo said, took effect on December 5, 2008 but prior to it Garcia, Salubre and Ypil have already withdrawn P4.2 million from the municipal funds.

The first withdrawal was made on November 11, 2008 in the amount of P2,485,000. It was followed by three more withdrawals in December 3; P59,895; P1,600,000 and P100,000, respectively.

Baquerfo alleged that the withdrawals were made without supporting documents such as vouchers and other necessary documents signed by the department heads required to support the cash advances.

However, Maratas said the filing of the case “lack weight” and was not properly studied by Baquerfo’s lawyer.

“Basin nakalimot si Baquerfo nga siya mismo naka-benepisyo sa P4.2 million. Na-sweldohan siya, nakadawat siya sa iyang benefits. Tan-aw man gud niya nga wala na siya’y kadaganan kay dili naman i-honor ang iyang signature sa Landbank,” he said.

The vice mayor, together with councilor Oscar Sollante, said the council’s resolution that authorizes Garcia, Salubre and Ypil is still in effect and that they have no plan to withdraw it.

The Landbank of the Philippines right now is asking Baquerfo to show a copy of the resolution from the council as the signatory of the check for the disbursement of the funds in the town. But

Baquerfo could not produce because the council has given the authority to the governor.

Garcia and municipal treasurer Angelita Roble are the signatories of their LBP check while a certification for availability of funds was issued by the provincial accountant.

Maratas also believed that Baquerfo and Roble connived so that the services of the town will be hampered when the treasurer is reportedly hiding so that the release of salaries of municipal workers and the payment of the town’s utility bills will be delayed.

The municipal hall has no electricity since March 23 after the incurred a balance of P102,000 from Camotes Electric Cooperative. This includes the health office, agriculture office, the executive and legislative office and some street lamps.

“Sa wala pa naputlan og kuryente ang munispiyo, sila (Baquerfo) nangandam na og generator. In fact, naa’y miadto nila sa Camotes Electric Cooperative nga ipa-putol na ang kuryente.

Naningkamot mi nga dili maputlan apan sila naningkamot pud nga maputlan ta,” Maratas said.

Maratas is now drafting a letter to be addressed at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to summon Roble for a conference with them.

According to Maratas, their municipal treasurer cannot be found and could no longer be reached.

Since it has been three months now that they have not received their salaries, the job order and regular employees have already requested the governor to intervene.

“We, the regular employees declined to collect our salaries on the ground that our positions are apolitical and whatever controversies between Baquerfo and (Mayor Demetrio) Granada are purely political and judicial in nature,” the letter of the employees read. — Garry B. Lao/WAB      (THE FREEMAN)