CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu provincial government has released a total of P40 million for beautification project in some towns and barangays in the third district, whose mayors and barangay captains are allied with the Liberal Party. The amount was released few days before the election ban took effect on March 25.
Documents obtained by The Freeman show that P30 million came from the legislative assistance fund of Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero while the P10 million was sourced out from the governor's office.
The recipients included nine out of 38 barangays in Toledo City; eight out of 26 barangays in Pinamungajan; six out of 27 barangays in Asturias; and one out of 15 in Aloguinsan. The towns of Tuburan and Barili received a lump sum amount of P5 million and P8 million, respectively.
Barangays Cantabaco, Santo Niño, Poog, Sagay, Media Once, Canlumampao, Saanlungsod, and Bato in Toledo City received P1 million each while Barangay Poblacion got P2 million.
In Pinamungajan the beneficiaries included Barangays Tupas, Camugao, Lamac, Binabag, Tajao, Opao, Tutay, and Cabiangon. Except for Lamac which was given P1.5 million the rest received P1 million each.
Barangays Tubod, Ubogon, Agbanga, Bairan, Lanao, and Poblacion in Asturias also got P1 million each. It was observed that the towns given the lump sum amount were allied with the Liberal Party while those towns whose mayors were in the opposition, the funds went through the administration-allied barangay captains.
The Capitol treasury office through cashier Maricar Rosario prepared all the checks which were released to the recipients from March 16 to 21. Rosario was found to be a cousin of Zaballero, where bulk of the funds came from her legislative assistance fund.
Asturias Mayor Allan Adlawan claimed the financial assistance was used as fundraising for the local LP candidates. He claimed the Capitol had favoritism in granting assistance because only LP-allied mayors and barangay captains were given.
"Mao may tuyo anang clean and green uy. That's fundraising," Adlawan said.
Capitol information officer Ethel Natera denied there was favoritism in giving assistance to the barangays. She said all assistance given to barangays and municipalities were based on request and must have accompanying resolution.
"Ang style man gud ni Gov (Hilario Davide III) paghatag og assistance is based on request," Natera said.
According to her, it was only coincidence that all of the beneficiaries were members of the Liberal Party. Adlawan confirmed earlier reports that the bulk of the P1 million assistance received by some of the barangays was asked to be returned but not to the Capitol.
Adlawan said a treasurer in one of the barangays given the assistance allegedly told him that P750,000 of the P1 million was deposited to the personal account of a local LP candidate. The Freeman withheld the name of the candidate pending his comment.
Adlawan admitted the witness is afraid to testify but warned all barangay officials involved that they will face charges as soon as the Commission on Audit starts auditing the funds.
"Magbantay lang na sila'ng mga barangay officials nga na-involve ana kay ig-guwa sa dokumento piti gyud na sila," Adlawan said.
Natera said those who made accusations should come out in the open. She said the governor has already made an assurance to look into the allegation and promised that heads will roll for those who will be found guilty. (FREEMAN)