Town VM, other execs suspended

CEBU, Philippines -  The Department of Interior and Local Government has ordered the implementation of the 90 days preventive suspension order of the Sandiganbayan against Aloguinsan Vice Mayor Cynthia Moreno and seven other town officials.

DILG-7 Regional Director Ananias Villacorta issued a memorandum to provincial director Jerome Gonzales to implement the order of the Sandiganbayan after the appeal of Moreno was denied.

A copy of the memorandum dated June 27 was received by Sandiganbayan First Division in Manila last July 2.

Villacorta ordered Gonzales to implement the order within five days from receipt of his memorandum.

Replacements

Aloguinsan Councilor Danilo Margallo, however, told The Freeman that Moreno still presided over their regular session last Wednesday.

Gonzales cannot also be reached through his mobile phone when contacted by The Freeman.

Margallo said that they don't know if Moreno will still preside over their session this afternoon.

The DILG also ordered first ranking Councilor Claudio Gacang to assume as vice mayor of the southwestern town while Moreno is temporarily legally incapacitated.

Moreno's husband, Mayor Augustus Caesar Moreno, has also been directed to temporarily appoint eligible next-in-rank successors for the other suspended local government functionaries, whenever necessary so as not to interrupt the delivery of public service.

Other officials included in the suspension order are municipal engineer Orven Nengasca; civil registrar and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) chairman Pepito Manguilimotan; budget officer Nonela Villegas; agricultural officer Marilyn Flordeliza; municipal assessor John Lim; utility workers and BAC members Emilia Luz Celis and Gertrudes Ababon.

The Morenos and other officials cannot be reached for comment.

Vice Mayor Moreno earlier asked the Visayas Ombudsman if it would be possible to convert a suspension order of town officials to a one-year fine, because the suspension of the seven officials would hamper the town's operations.

Cause

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by former councilor Felimon Georsua, Jr.

He complained over the purchase of construction materials worth over P1 million without a public bidding in 2007.

Georsua accused the officials of violating provisions of RA 3019 and RA 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

He said the accused procured aluminum composite panels from Diamond Interior Industries Corp. worth P1,190,037.50 without public bidding, which is required under RA 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The municipal government reportedly paid Diamond Interior only P1,118,635.30, in view of the five percent value-added tax (P59,501.86) and one percent expanded value-added tax (P11,900) deducted from the total purchase price.

Georsua said the respondents attempted to conceal the irregularity by falsifying the certificate of canvass of other bidders to make it appear there was proper competition.

Moreno in her counter-affidavit denied the allegations saying the process was in order.

In its investigation, the anti-graft office was convinced that the "aluminum composite panels and other materials used in the Municipality of Aloguinsan were purchased without a valid public bidding" prompting the filing of appropriate charge.— (FREEMAN)