Magpale orders SARO review on Garcia’s pork barrel
ACTING Cebu Gov. Agnes Magpale ordered a review of all Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO) covering the P55 million funds for Dumanjug town taken from the pork barrel of Rep. Pablo Garcia of Cebu’s 2nd district.
Magpale told reporters yesterday that she ordered the review after being reminded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) that she could be held liable for the disbursement of the funds.
Magpale’s spokesperson Dara Acusar asked the DBM in a technical conference held last week at the Ombudsman-Visayas about the release of the funds not in accordance with the SARO. She said DBM told them that it could be a possible ground for technical malversation.
“That’s why we are very careful. “You cannot release the lump sum to Dumanjug and do your distribution later,” Magpale said.
A SARO is issued to one or more identified agencies to incur obligations not exceeding a given amount during a specified period for the purpose indicated.
It shall cover expenditures and its release is subject to compliance with laws or regulations or are subject to separate approval or clearance by competent authority.
Magpale said she will meet her department heads to discuss the contents of the SARO. She also showed a check dated Jan. 30, 2013 worth P55 million issued to Dumanjug town.
Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia earlier challenged Magpale to show evidence that the amount is solely intended for his town. The DBM said the Capitol should supervise disbursement of Garcia’s congressional funds since it was deposited under its account.
It also said Garcia, as the proponent legislator, has the “authority to identify the beneficiaries and the priority development programs and projects to be charged against the pork barrel or Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Magpale earlier said she suspected Dumanjug received P55 million while other towns in the second district received only P20,000 to P500,000.
Rep. Garcia requested the Ombudsman-Visayas to order Magpale to release the P56.3 million pork barrel funds he had kept in trust with the Capitol. Magpale also denied withholding the pork barrel of Rep. Pablo John Garcia.
The younger Garcia said he has P5 million worth of pork barrel deposited to the trust fund of the Capitol. But Magpale told reporters yesterday that there is only P1 million left in the fund. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus
