Previous Manila admin spent P2.9B in commercial contracts — Isko Moreno
MANILA, Philippines — The City of Manila has received a failing mark from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) due to poor social services though it spent P2.9 billion for commercial contracts, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said Monday in his State of the City Address.
Showing a report from the DILG before the city councilors of Manila, Moreno said the city received a failing mark in social services.
“Pamula sa January, sa pagmamanage ng gobyerno, failure ang syudad, particularly in social services. We are a failure to protect the City of Manila sa lahat ng mga posibleng mangyareng delubyo sa lungsod,” he said during his speech at Manila City Hall.
(Starting January, the city has failed in managing the city, particularly in social services. We failed in protecting Mania from all disasters that affected the city.)
This is ironic given that the previous administration released P2.9 billion worth of commercial contracts, according to the mayor.
He said his predecessor, former Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, signed the said contacts during his last 30 days of office.
“In 30 days after the election, you were there very busy signing checks. In 30 days, P2.9 billion from May 13 to June 28. Wow,” Moreno said.
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“Ngayon lang ako nakakita na kaya palang gumastos ng gobyerno ng Lungsod ng Maynila, asikasuhin ang mga commercial contracts (I’ve only realized now that the city can spend that much .in commercial contracts),” he added.
He also took a swipe against Estrada’s camp after it still failed to submit the required documents for turn over.
He said the previous administration has the time to fix the documents for the paid commercial contracts, but it could not give the city’s records and documents needed for the transition.
“Yung obligasyon niyo sa pamahalaang lungsod, yung obligasyon niyo na serbisyo sa mamamayan, yung nirerequire kayo ng batas, anong binigay niyo samin (You have an obligation to the city, the citizens and the law. What did you give us)? Zero,” he added.
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The mayor said the people behind the signing of commercial contracts would be held liable. Though they have shown good faith, it will not suffice.
“Whether it is criminal or administrative, we’ll go after them,” he told reporters after delivering his speech.
“Kung sakaling may paglabag sa alintuntunin, ay papanagutin natin yung mga taong iyon. Bakit? E pera ng taong bayan iyon e, so kahit sino man sila, papanagutin natin (If there is any violation of the law, we will hold them liable. Why? Because it’s the people’s money. Whoever they are, they should be held liable),” he added. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
