News briefs
OFF-SITE REGISTRATION
A TOTAL of 151 inmates registered as voters during an off-site voters registration at the Cebu City jail in barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.
Of the 700 Cebu City inmates qualified to register, only 151 signed up, said Sanny delos Reyes, Cebu City Comelec officer.
Detention prisoners or inmates who have not yet been convicted for an offense still have the right to vote.
The jail has a population of 2,000.
Jail Warden Johnson Calub said the Comelec set up seven computers (three for photo capture as part of biometrics data) and two tables for the Cebu City north and south registrants. /Contributor Joy Quito and Correspondent Chito O. Aragon
PACKED MEALS ISSUE
WHO availed of packed meals and snacks and 100 polo shirts?
This is the question the Cebu City Council wanted answered before approving a request of the Mayor’s Office to authorize the payment of 4,000 packed meals and snacks worth P311,000 served to the working committee that planned monthly activities for the city’s Charter Day program to honor “75 families of distinction.”
Councilor Margot Osmeña asked for a copy of the attendance sheet signed by the people who ate the meals.
She sought the clarification as chairperson of the committee on budget.
In her report, Osmeña noted that the resolution of Councilor Edgar Labella requesting to charge the amount, was contrary to actual charges in the attached Purchase Request (PR) which included charges made for some activities organized by the office of the mayor. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac
DODGE CARS CONTROVERSY
IT’S not enough to quote a newspaper report to prove a graft charge, said Cebu City Rep. Tomas Osmeña.
He donwplayed the graft complaint filed by Mayor Michael Rama against him over the two US-made Dodge Charger cars in his possession which were bought from the owner of Bigfoot Entertainment.
Osmeña said his lawyers would prepare his reply to the complaint with the Ombudsman which he received last Monday.
The mayor accused Osmeña of graft for accepting a donation of the two vehicles from Bigfoot owner Michael Gleissner.
As basis, the mayor cited a local newspaper (not Cebu Daily News) which quoted former city information officer Nagiel Bañacia in confirming the donation. Bañacia has since clarified that the planned donation did not push through.
“A newspaper report is not evidence. They have to show proof,” said Osmeña like a city council resolution authorizing the donation and the deed of donation. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac
