Probe sought into “illegal” use of funds for CCMC

CEBU, Philippines - After filing a case against Cebu City officials for giving out calamity assistance to city employees, lawyer Reymelio Delute is also asking the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to look into the distribution of senior citizens aid.

Delute believes that Mayor Michael Rama violated the law when he distributed cash assistance to the senior citizens in Cebu City last Christmas out of the funds already intended for the construction of the new Cebu City Medical Center hospital.

Delute said that the city spent P300 million for projects, other than for the construction of the new Cebu City Medical Center building, without first securing authority from the City Council, which may constitute to technical malversation.

Delute will also ask the anti-graft body to look into possible grave abuse of authority committed by Rama.

Last year, Delute filed a case against Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and 11 city councilors before the Office of the President for the granting of P20,000 calamity financial assistance to the city officials and employees in December 2013.

The case is still pending and the Department of the Interior and Local Government has been tasked by Malacañang to look into it.

In the recent complaint, Delute said Rama did not ask for authorization from the City Council.

The P300 million was originally part of the P500 million budget for the Drainage Improvement Project, but Mayor Rama successfully convinced the City Council to realign the amount for the construction of the new CCMC building.

"Klaro kaayo nga ang mayor nakahimo og technical malversation kay wala man niya gipa-realign usa sa City Council kun may tinguha man siya nga gamiton alang sa pagpanghatag og cash assistance sa mga senior citizens," said Delute.

The Freeman tried, but failed to reach the mayor for his comment on the issue.

City Treasurer Diwa Cuevas was quick to defend the mayor, saying that what the Rama did was not illegal since the amount was not placed under the trust fund of the Cebu City Medical Center.

"Tinuod nga ang kuwarta gitagana sa construction sa CCMC pero diha ra man na gibutang sa General Fund. Dili man kana illegal kay mailisan ra man gihapon na nga kantidad," Cuevas said.—  ATO (FREEMAN)