Over demolition of Municipal Hall Alegado, 15 others face raps

CEBU, Philippines - Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado and 15 other town officials are facing criminal and administrative complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas over the demolition of the first phase of the new municipal hall building.

Incumbent councilors Nicole Alectis Villo-Escobido; Vito Rolito Villo, Maria Analee Gungob; and Iluminado Alin accused Alegado, Vice Mayor Aurelio Rey Damole; Councilors Beinvenido Ermac, Julius Alegado, Brando Cuizon, Nilo Ferraren, Alfred Francis Ouano, Marilou Casul, and Crispin Cañeda, municipal legal officer Christian Bacus, municipal engineer Carlito Maglasang, planning officer Salome Palang, municipal treasurer Rosalina Maglasang, spouses Edgar and Leah Maglasang and a certain Isidro Ike Maglasang  of malversation of public funds; graft and corrupt practices acts; grave abuse of authority and discretion; gross ignorance of the law; and serious and grave misconduct.

The complainants alleged that sometime on June 8, 2009, the first phase of the new municipal hall building amounting to P9 million was implemented by the winning contractor, Maricivi Structures and Industrial Services.

The project was completed on November 30, 2009 and was turned over to then mayor Avelino Gungob and Maglasang. The project was built within the controversial Government Center of Consolacion which Alegado did not want to continue.

The municipal council requested the Commission on Audit to convert the proposed municipal building to a multi-purpose building and sports complex instead.

In a letter dated April 28, 2011, the COA approved the request and allowed the project to become an income generating multi-purpose building.

But despite COA’s approval, respondents proceeded to abandon the project and caused its demolition.

The complainants said that Damole and majority of the members of the council did not lift their fingers to stop the order of Alegado.

They also questioned why the property is given away to spouses Maglasang when the property is still owned by the government. Alegado claimed that what she did was above board.

It was allegedly based on what the town needs. (FREEMAN)