Tuburan mayor denies irregularities

CEBU, Philippines - Tuburan Mayor Democrito “Aljun” Diamante and majority of his municipal councilors strongly denied the accusations hurled against the administration.

Diamante said he will never misuse government funds as he considered his position a service to the public.

Earlier, opposition Councilor Marie Tabotabo wrote a letter to the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas on some “serious irregularities” under Diamante’s administration.

Tabotabo requested for an investigation for the meals of the doctors at P300 per head during the medical mission in the town on February 4 to 8.

In a press conference yesterday at the municipal hall of Tuburan, majority of the town council members denied the allegation.

CouncilorAndot Potenciososaid that they spent only P300 per P80 per person for the food.

The municipal government allocated P324,000 for the medical mission but only P324,000 was actually spent.

Councilor Rosendo Mendoza said 5,500 Tuburan residents in their 54 barangays benefitted the said medical mission.

“Our mayor spent P234,000 from his own pocket,” said Royeto Talaugon, the municipal administrator.

According to the town councilors, their mayor has been instrumental in the construction of three high school buildings, road opening and concreting especially in the mountain barangays among with the help of senators Pia and Peter Cayetano, Teofisto “TG” Guingona III and Loren Legarda.

“We are here to show our support to our mayor. These accusations against him were all fabricated and politically motivated,” said Councilor Rosendo Mendoza.

The councilors revealed that Diamante has not been receiving his salary as it was used to construct chapels in the different sitios in their barangay.

Diamante himself has no idea as to how many chapels were already constructed.

Aside fromthe meal issue, Tabotabo also requested the Ombudsman to investigate how the municipal government spent the funds for the construction of the Tuburan Boulevard, bulldozer purchase, barangay aid, scholarship grants, among others.

Diamante added that he will just answer all the allegations lodged against him and his administration once the Ombudsman will summon him. (FREEMAN)