Garcia to “study” PB invitation for dep’t heads to attend session

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will carefully study the invitation of the Provincial Board for four Capitol department heads to appear in their session.

Provincial Budget Officer Emme Gingoyon, Provincial Accountant Emmanuel Guial, Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Engr. Adolfo Quiroga snubbed the PB invitations at least three times already.

The four Capitol department heads were requested by Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy to appear in the PB session to shed light on the alleged misuse of provincial funds since September.

“Hasta mismong mga board members nga ilang kauban giloud, (Even their fellow board members got nauseous.)” Garcia said on the motive behind the request.

Recently, the same Capitol department heads were also requested to answer queries of the PB members on the proposed 2013 annual budget submitted by Garcia.

“As far as budget deliberation is concerned, I will carefully study their request,” Garcia said.

Sitoy sponsored a resolution requesting the officials to shed light on the allegations that Garcia used public funds without the consent of the PB.

These include the financial assistance extended to calamity-stricken provinces earlier questioned by the Commission on Audit and the P27 million disbursed for the restoration of the Balili property, also without the concurrence of the board.

Even some PB members sought clarification on the purpose of inviting the officials saying that the PB has no authority to investigate except on elected municipal officials if there is complaint.

Sitoy explained that they have no intent to conduct an investigation but a fact finding inquiry in aid of legislation to come up with a policy in the evaluation of the 2013 annual budget.

Despite several refusals on the invitations, Sitoy made repeated requests for the said Capitol department heads to appear in their session. — (FREEMAN)