Newsbriefs

Capitol: Let contractor file charges

THE Capitol stands by its decision to withhold payment of P6.88 million to a construction firm hired to backfill the 24.7 hectare Balili property in barangay Tina-an, Naga City.

“It is the right of everybody to file a case. But it is equally the right of the province withhold the payment because we based on that law. We cannot do otherwise,” Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega said.

Engr. Bernabe Gilbor, owner of Supreme ABF Construction and Construction Supply Co. Inc., earlier said he will press charges against the province for their refusal to pay for their services.

Ortega said ABF Construction proceeded with the backfilling operations even if they knew that the Balili property is under litigation at the Sandiganbayan.

“It is already in the nature of tampering the evidence itself but they proceeded at their own risk at the time. We’ll just reserve our right to answer in their case,” he added.

Gilbor said he will call for a press conference tomorrow to issue the company’s official statement.

Last week, Ortega recommended the cancellation of the disbursement vouchers for the firm and declared the backfilling “illegal.”

He said the property is being used as evidence to graft cases faced by former governor Gwendolyn Garcia and other Capitol officials in the Sandiganbayan.

Ortega also cited a Commission on Audit (COA) 2011 report which stated that budgets for projects in generic terms need a covering contract for every specific project and in turn needs approval from the PB.

Last November, PB Member Arleigh Sitoy and Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale inspected the Balili property and found that it was covered with limestone and filling materials.

The province spent P27 million for what Garcia called “restoration” work of the property. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos

‘Return CAPITOL vehicle’

A CAPITOL official who was dismissed from service has yet to return the service vehicle issued to him to the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO).

PGSO chief Eva Encabo said she already sent two notices last May and June to former provincial budget officer Emme Gingoyon.

But he has yet to return the Kia Carens service vehicle issued to him and other department heads.

“He (Gingoyon) is supposed to return that vehicle because he’s not here anymore. That is his obligation…we will take the necessary action if he fails to comply,” Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III told reporters yesterday.

Yesterday, Encabo forwarded the matter to the Provincial Attorney’s Office headed by lawyer Orvi Ortega.

Encabo said the province needs to recall the vehicle to finish the inventory on all the province’s real and personal properties.

Acting provincial budget officer Danilo Rodas was not issued a service vehicle. But he said he is receiving a monthly P17,000 representation and transportation allowance (RATA).

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales dismissed Gingoyon together with Capitol officials Roy Salubre and Eulogio Pelayre from service last January 25 after they were found guilty of charges of grave misconduct.

They and former Cebu governor now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district are charged in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of the Balili Estate in 2008. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos

Pork barrel to remain in Capitol

THE P72 million pork barrel fund assigned to former congressman Pablo Garcia will be distributed to the towns and cities of Cebu’s 2nd district.

Provincial Legal Officer Orvi Ortega said the money is listed as a trust fund and can be released as long as it is in accordance with the projects specified by Garcia in his project menu.

“The project menu will be the guide on how to spend the (pork barrel),” he added.

In a June 25 letter, Garcia requested his daughter, then governor Gwendolyn Garcia to return to Congress the remainder of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) after acting Gov. Agnes Magpale refused to distribute it.

Magpale questioned the P55 million allocation for Dumanjug town while other towns in the second district were given funds ranging from P20,000 to P500,000. Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos