Delute takes witness stand

CEBU, Philippines- The Department of the Interior and Local Government has resumed hearing the administrative complaint against Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and 13 other city officials over the alleged grave misconduct and abuse of authority for granting P20,000 calamity assistance to City Hall officials and employees last year.

The complaint, lawyer Reymelio Delute, took the witness stand where he reiterated his accusation against Rama, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and Councilors Nestor Archival Sr., Mary Ann de los Santos, David Tumulak, Nendell Hanz Abella, Sisinio Andales, Alvin Arcilla, Roberto Cabarrubias, Ma. Nida Cabrera, Gerardo Carillo, Alvin Dizon, Eugenio Gabuya Jr., and Noel Wenceslao.

Delute, however, directed his testimony yesterday against Rama whom he said exceeded his authority in implementing the budget ordinance approved by the members of the City Council.

“It was grave abuse of authority by the respondent mayor when he exceeded the implementation of the ordinance. He exceeded the authority granted by the City Council when he used P84 million for the calamity assistance when the City Council has approved only P61 million,” Delute said.

Delute added that the respondents’ act of giving P20,000 each to 4,200 city officials and employees after super typhoon Yolanda and the magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013 was questionable since all of the recipients were not direct victims of the calamities.

Andales, who is also a lawyer by profession, asked Delute why he did not include in his testimony the liability of the councilors. Delute said he is not questioning the validity of the budget ordinance but the implementation of the ordinance, which is the job of the executive department.

Asked if he is exonerating the councilors of any liability for the action, Delute said it is not within his authority to declare whether the councilors are guilty or not.

Hearing officer Isidro Barrios III directed city attorney Jerone Castillo to immediately conduct his cross examination on Delute. Castillo, however, begged off and asked for more time to prepare.

Castillo said he would need a copy of the transcript in yesterday’s hearing before he could conduct his cross examination. Lawyer Benjamin Militar, counsel for Delute, objected Castillo’s manifestation but was overruled.

“The questions should not be based on the transcript, but to the exhibit and evidences. What is there to wait for? There is already undue delay of proceedings,” Militar said.

Barrios, however, granted the request of Castillo since the respondents and their lawyers have the right to prepare and raised queries to test the veracity of the testimony of the complainant.

The cross examination is expected to be concluded today since Wednesday is a holiday and Barrios has prior commitments on Thursday.   (FREEMAN)