4th dist brgys get P100T for rice

CEBU, Philippines - Malacañang has reportedly released P100,000 to each barangay in the fourth district of the province of Cebu without specific purpose.

Report received by Rep. Benhur Salimbangon said that the money came from the office of Senator Teofisto Guingona III.

But Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. whose son, former mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, is running against Salimbangon, said the money came from President Benigno Aquino III.

“Nahibong man gani ang mga kapitan nga gideretso og download sa ilang barangay,” Martinez said over Bantay Radyo yesterday.

Junie explained that it was Tining who suggested the idea for Aquino to download the money when the president reportedly asked him how he can help in his campaign.

The money will be used to buy rice to be distributed to the people.

Junie said that Liberal Party gubernatorial candidate Hilario “Jun-jun” Davide III and runningmate, acting Governor Agnes Magpale, if elected, will adopt the same strategy.

Under this strategy, Junie said it will be the barangays that would decide what projects to finance.

Junie said that all barangays in Bantayan town already received the money.

The LP has no candidate for mayor in Bantayan, leaving Mayor Ian Christopher Escario of One Cebu Party to run unopposed.

But Salimbangon brushed aside the involvement of Aquino in the spending of the money.

“Kanang gipanghatag nga P100,000 sa barangays nga walay explanation unsa’y gamitan. Dako ni nga problema,” Salimbangon said.

He said if there’s any purpose, its political.

“I forewarned our barangay captains never to spend this money until they will get a clearer explanation asa ni ang purpose ani,” Salimbangon said.

The lawmaker said he heard that the barangay captains had already withdrawn the money and turn over it to Tining for purchase of rice.

“That’s dangerous. Ang pobreng kapitan nga mopirma siya’y mabitay,” Salimbangon warned.

But Junie said the barangay captains will be the ones to purchase sacks of rice for distribution to the people regardless of their political affiliation.  (FREEMAN)