Council told: Send report to Ombud

Nearly a year passed since a fact-finding committee released a report on their investigation of the alleged anomalous barangay projects worth P156 million that were implemented by E. M. Arante Construction.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama told 57 barangay captains who attended an agreement signing on barangay assistance last Friday that no one has been penalized to date.

Rama said he’s asking the City Council to act on the report he endorsed to them shortly after it was made public in August 2011.

“Until now, the council seemed to find it difficult to submit the findings to the Ombudsman-Visayas,” he said.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said he had yet to verify if the report was with the secretariat.

He said the mayor can submit the report himself to the Ombudsman-Visayas.

In last Friday’s gathering with barangay officials, Rama said he wanted to remind the council through the media to act on his endorsement so that actions can be taken.

“I cannot send it directly to the Ombudsman because the council may say that I didn’t seek authorization,” the mayor said.

Rama also warned barangay captains against mis-using the city’s financial aid for their own benefit.

“I hope it doesn’t happen that the mayor will file a case against the barangay captain,” he told the officials at the Sinulog Hall of the Rizal Library.

The city government set aside P400 million for the barangays this year.

The amount will be distributed to the barangay in amounts ranging from P3 million to P10 million depending on the size and population of the recipient barangays.

Councilor Jose Daluz III said 18 out of the 80 barangays have submitted documentary requirements for the fund release.

These requirements include the program of works and estimates of projects where they wanted the money spent and the liquidation of their 2011 assistance.

Rama said his predecessor, Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district would have wanted the city government to suspend the release of aid to barangays and let the administration implement the projects they want on their behalf.

The committee report discovered procedural lapses in the infrastructure projects implemented by Arante Construction.

Rama said he wanted barangays to continue to implement their chosen projects provided they comply with requirements.

The fact-finding team said there was no proper evaluation and determination of the capability of the beneficiaries to handle the funds and implement the projects in their areas.

Rama said the council should endorse the investigation report to the Ombudsman-Visayas for further investigation.

But Young said council authority was only needed when the mayor files a complaint in court.

“Rama is trying to act cute. Only when he files a case in court, that’s the time that he will need council authority,” the vice mayor said.