CEBU, Philippines - A two-page handout claiming former congressman Eduardo Gullas can no longer hold public office for his alleged involvement in projects disallowed by the Commission on Audit is making rounds in Talisay City.
"Ang kabahong sa ilang panglimbong nibuto na! (The smell of their deceit has burst out)," read the document being reportedly distributed in some public places of the city.
The handout apparently pertained to the P29-million computerization and liquid fertilizer projects carried out during the incumbency of then mayors Gullas and Socrates Fernandez which were questioned by the audit body.
According to the handout being circulated, the COA Central Office already issued a final and executory notice for Gullas, Fernandez and 13 department heads to return P29,360,762.70 used for the city's computerization and liquid fertilizer projects because of irregularities.
In 2004, when Gullas was seating as mayor, the city government implemented a P26.988-million computerization project for business licensing, real property assessment, personal information system, government payroll system, automated timekeeping system, project monitoring system, electrical and water permits application system, local civil registrar, installation of local area network and job orders.
The COA, however, noted that the total appropriation for the program was only P2.4 million, leaving the balance of P24.588 million without legislative appropriation.
The P24.588 million was realigned for various appropriations through the executive orders of Gullas' successor, Fernandez, for the development and purchase of software for various offices at the City Hall.
"Mao kini ang gihulat sa opisina sa Ombudsman and Notice of Finality of Decision gikan sa COA aron mapriso ug masuspenso ug dili na makahupot og katungdanan sa gobyerno kining mga tawhana," the letter read.
Appeal pending
Gullas admitted he is aware of COA's issuance of the Notice of Finality of Decision.
"But this is without prejudice to our filing of a motion with the honorable Supreme Court to stay the execution and to hold in abeyance the Order of Finality issued by COA. The Supreme Court has the discretion to hold the order," Gullas said in a press statement.
Gullas cited COA Rule X, Section 9: "A decision of the commission upon any matter within its jurisdiction shall become final and executory after the lapse of 30 days from notice or resolution, unless a motion for reconsideration is seasonably made or on appeal to the Supreme Court is filed."
"An appeal by certiorari was already filed with the Supreme Court by my lawyers. It is therefore my humble submission that the Honorable Supreme Court has the discretion to hold in abeyance the execution of the order until it will finally resolve our petition for certiorari," the statement read further.
'It's a lie'
Cebu first district Rep. Gerald Anthony "Samsam" Gullas, meanwhile, has accused the administration of Mayor Johnny "JVR" De los Reyes of spreading a "blatant, outright lie" about his grandfather.
Samsam said the camp of De los Reyes is taking advantage of issues and is "spreading lies so it can push its selfish motives."
De los Reyes, Gullas and Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante are set to face off in the mayoralty race in 2016.
Villarante, for his part, described the distribution of the handouts as "mudslinging."
"We just let the law take its course. As for JVR, my advice is for him to remember this: Let the innocent cast the first stone," Villarante added.
The FREEMAN tried to reach the mayor yesterday for his comment but it was not made available as of press time. (FREEMAN)