Members tells CFI not to use money for politics

CEBU, Philippines - Some members of the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative expressed fear that their money would be used for politic purposes.

In a letter of concern signed by 90 members, they demanded from CFI management “to refrain from using the funds of its members for political ends.”

The letter was submitted to the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative office yesterday.

The Cebu CFI Community Cooperative was established on April 7, 1970 by then Judge Esperanza Garcia, mother of suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

According to the letter, their worries started early this year when “media reports leaked describing how the CFI Coop was implicated into what was perceived to be an anomalous distribution of funds known by many as the Pantawid Pamilya Program at the 3rd district of Cebu.”

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman assured to take care of the issue.

But the letter stated that they remain wary when reports said that the CFI Coop acquired a loan of P2 billion from the Landbank of the Philippines.

“Politics is a suspect here. There is looming fear as to the possibility that the said amount will be utilized to finance the political ambitions of the Garcia family,” the letter stated.

Yesterday, a text message was sent to media outlets saying that mayors of the 3rd district was to submit the letter personally to the management of CFI.

However, only Barili Mayor Teresito Mariñas was present when the letter was submitted to CFI office in the Capitol Compound.

Mariñas said are several CFI members from his town in who expressed their concern of alleged ‘politicking’ within CFI that involved money deposited by members.

Mariñas admitted that there is no basis that members’ money  was used for political purpose but there is “high likelihood”.

Rep. Pablo John Garcia, One Cebu’s gubernatorial candidate denied the accusations saying there’s a difference between being concerned and being “paranoid.”

“How can coop funds be used for political purposes when the coop is a heavily regulated entity by the CDA (Cooperatives Development Authority) and the BSP? Mayor Mariñas is the one using the coop and the media for his own political purposes,” said Garcia.

Pinamungahan Mayor Geraldine Yapha was also in the Provincial Capitol for another appointment.

When asked if she was aware of the letter, Yapha said she was aware that there were concerns and that there was a plan to bring it up with the management.

However, she is not aware of the details and that the letter is scheduled to be forwarded yesterday.

According to its website, Cebu CFI Coop has 12,500 members and over P377 million in assets as of March 7 this year. — (FREEMAN)