City dads to seek COA opinion on Rallos case order

MAJORITY of the Cebu City councilors have agreed to get the opinion of the Commission on Audit (COA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on the court order directing the council to enact a budget ordinance to settle the city’s obligation with the Rallos heirs.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said they feared the court might cite them in contempt if they disregard the Feb. 27 order of Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Judge James Stewart Ramon Himalaloan.

“The City Council has been ordered and is under threat of imprisonment. So we have to study the matter carefully,” he said.

Young said 14 BO-PK-allied councilors agreed in a meeting last Wednesday night to consult COA and DBM on the matter.

They also want the city legal office to thoroughly study the judge’s order.

The judge has directed two of the city’s depository banks—Philippine Veterans Bank and the Postal Savings Bank—to issue a certification addressed to the court sheriff stating the correct account numbers of the city’s deposits “to cater to the money judgment of this (Rallos) case.”

“Said banks are ordered to release the amount for the satisfaction of the final money judgment,” said the judge’s two-page order.

Bank officials have been warned they would cited in contempt if they defy the court order.

The same court order directs the City Council to enact an ordinance that would appropriate the amount being claimed by the Rallos heirs.

Young said the court order will be discussed during the council session on March 21.

He said the council has to wait for the certification from the two depository banks before they could decide on whether to pass an appropriation ordinance.

Mayor Michael Rama maintained his stand that the city should proceed with the legal battle to challenge the claims of the Ralloses.

But Young said BO-PK councilors wanted to abide by what is legally correct.

He said that if COA and DBM recommend that the city should pay the Ralloses, then payment should be made.

Young said they do not agree with Mayor Rama’s stand to refuse to pay the Rallos heirs.

“We will be jailed if we are cited in contempt. He (Rama) wants to go to jail because it would make him a hero. Politically, that is good for him. That is his (Rama’s) game plan at the expense of the taxpayers,” said Young. /Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac