Cut out Gwen’s photos or replace notebooks?

What will the Capitol do with the thousands of school notebooks that bear the photo of suspended Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on the front cover?

Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale said there was a suggestion to cut out the front covers or ask the supplier to replace them.

“We can distribute the notebooks without the cover but I think that would look bad,” she said in a phone interview yesterday.

Magpale said she will ask the supplier, Prince Warehouse, which filled a P22 million order for the school supplies last year, for an option.

“I’ll try to talk to Prince Warehouse if they can do their share of charity work and provide the covers for free,” she said.

“Anugon man gud unya daghan kaayo ang nagkinahaglan. (It would be a big waste if we don’t use the notebooks. So many students need them),” she added.

Auditors earlier brought to Magpale’s attention the presence of P19 million worth of school supplies in the Capitol warehouse that were not distributed to public schools in school year 2012-2013.

Why the supplies were left piled in the bodega remains to be explained.

Auditors said the items also violated memorandum circulars of the COA and Department of Interior and Local Government banning the use of faces and names of public officials in government property.

Schoolbags printed with Garcia’s name are also part of the idle supplies.

“I don’t know what to do yet with the bags because the name of Gwen is also printed on them ,” Magpale said.

Magpale said she has asked the asked the Commission on Audit (COA) how to deal with a purchase order, approved several months ago by Governor Garcia, for the purchase of P520,000 worth of medals intended for provincial scholars which have her face and name engraved on the front.

Magpale said they certainly can’t distribute them.

“We’re still asking the supplier any suggestion as to what to do with them,” she said.

Liable

The school supplies were discovered in the Capitol Warehouse and the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

Magpale, who said she wasn’t aware of the medals until the PO was submitted for payment, said she could be held liable if she distributes the medals as well.