Discretionary fund used more for meals than aid

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama spent more for meals than financial assistance from his discretionary fund, records from the Registry of Allotment and Obligations showed.

Records from January to Nov. 30 showed that at least P5.8 million was spent by Rama to purchase groceries, lechon (roasted pig), flowers and snacks.

His biggest expense was for meals and snacks at P2 million, then P1.6 million for giveaways and ad publication.

An additional P1.2 million was spent for prizes, T-shirts and balloons.

The mayor also spent P422,600 on lechon; P115,900 for flower stands, P121,700 for flowers, P119,176.85 for groceries and P29,014.05 for office supplies.

Of the P5.8 million, the mayor spent the least on financial assistance at P19,300.

His grocery purchases for “walk in clients and other official purposes” was bigger at P21,070.

It was not specified what these official purposes were.

Another voucher processed on May 21 was for the reimbursement of “membership fee” amounting to P15, 000.

Another voucher processed on July 12 was for payment of roasted pigs worth P18,500.

Reimbursement was also made for the meal expenses amounting to P130,000.

The meals were served during the distribution of cash incentives to barangay officials while a June 7 voucher mentioned a P25,300 reimbursement for flower stand expenses.

Mayor Rama, in an interview, said his fund use is based on requests while all charges made to his discretionary funds are properly itemized.

“Other mayors do the same,” he said.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young said in a separate interview that while the use of the mayor’s discretionary funds is “wide in latitude”, this should not abused.

“We don’t have to question if the items charged are legal because it’s his discretionary fund but I find it incomprehensible why charges for lechon and flower stands for the dead are charged to his discretionary fund,” he said.

Young said former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district would normally pay out of his own pocket for lechon donations and funeral flower arrangements sent to families with departed loved ones.

Exemptions are official activities organized by the city government or barangays.

Nevertheless, Young said the city council won’t examine the discretionary fund use to avoid being accused of politicking.