DILG to look into mayors’ SoKor trip

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government will look into the trip of at least 20 Cebu mayors to South Korea to determine if the travel was authorized by the agency.

DILG-7 Director Ananias Villacorta said as far as his office is concerned, he has not received any documents from the mayors, but emphasized that it is the DILG secretary who approves international travels of locally elected and appointed officials, both official and personal.

“Basin gi-direct nila sa DILG Manila or they have approved leave of absence from the Governor,” Villacorta said.

Aside from travel authority from the Secretary of DILG, Villacorta said mayors can also apply for leave of absence from the head of agency.

Villacorta said the travel authority or approved leave of absence of the officials is among the documents required by the Bureau of Immigration.

The mayors who left Cebu last Wednesday are allies of Davide. They will return to Cebu today.

The trip is reportedly “personal” but Capitol has reportedly given P1 million through the League of Municipalities in the Philippines headed by Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante.

A mayor of a town in southern Cebu said he was among those invited to join the trip but he declined.

He said it was Diamante who invited him although he refused to divulge the reason why he did not go.

The mayor said he was told that those who would go on the trip would shoulder a certain amount but the LMP would reportedly shoulder the air fare and other major expense.

Medellin Mayor Ricky Ramirez wrote on his Facebook account that there are around 25 mayors touring South Korea allegedly using government funds.

“Hinatag sa maayung kabobot-on ni (Gov. Hilario) Davide nga pipila ka milyun ka pesos didto gihatag sa Mayors League. Ang sunod nga grupo nga manglupad adto sa gawas mao ang Vice Mayors League nga gitagaan usab ni Davide ug pila ka milyun sad,” reads a portion of Ramirez’ post published on his Facebook account the other day.

Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said he is not aware of the trip nor is he aware of the money Davide allegedly gave to LMP.

“I’m not aware of that. We have to ask the governor’s office….no idea about the travel,” Tolentino said.

A staff member at the Office of the Governor also said she has no knowledge about the trip and if Davide signed any documents related to the travel.

Davide who was out of Capitol yesterday refused to answer phone calls.

“Dili ka makapaayo sa karsada sa probinsya kay magpaabot ta sa kwarta nga gikan sa Malacanang? Pero og hinatagay na gani og dagkong kantidad hisgutan para sa mga league ikaw winner kay nagtuo man gud ka nga mao nanay insaktong politika,” Ramirez added.

The Medellin mayor has been criticizing Capitol for its alleged slow action in rehabilitating the provincial roads and bridges in his town. — Gregg M. Rubio and Liv G. Campo / JMO (FREEMAN)