Prosecutor belies graft accusations

CEBU, Philippines - Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane, who faces a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for alleged illegal collection of monthly allowance totaling P92,400 said the accusations of a certain Brenda Tan are false.

“The allegation filed by Mrs. Tan was not true,” he said.

Gubalane said he will be filing a perjury case against Tan for lying under oath within this week in the region. He did not disclose in what particular province.

He clarified he only received P34,000 for monthly allowance from Local Government Units and the national government. The allowances he received were legal and allowed by Local Government Code, City Ordinance and Section 16 of Republic Act 10071.

Last week, Tan, of Sitio Butterfly, Barangay Babag I, Lapu-Lapu City, filed complaints against Gubalane for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and grave misconduct.

Tan, in her complaint, said Gubalane illegally received monthly allowances from the government units and the national government.

She added Gubalane receives monthly allowances exceeding the P35,000 ceiling provided by law.

She cited Section 16 of Republic Act 10071 which states the provincial and city prosecutors and their assistants shall receive their monthly allowance from their respective local government units in the amount not exceeding 50 percent of their basic salaries.

Tan said Gubalane received P41,500 in monthly allowances from the six LGUs namely Cebu City, Cebu province, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Bogo City and Danao City, excluding what he received from the national government.   - (THE FREEMAN)