Ambrosio R. Villorente
Demolishing Models of Graft
Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu City has sounded the call to remove all the decorative lamp posts now serving as the shining models of government official corruptions.
In its recent sessions, the Cebu City Sanggunian has approved a resolution calling for the immediate removal from the streets of Cebu City all the alleged lamp posts bought at excessive sky high price. The said lamp posts were purchased just before the holding of the 12th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit.
The Cebu City Sanggunian has also created a task force headed by Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernan-dez. The task force is asked to find out how the Cebu City government can go about the dismantling and removal of the lamp posts as early as possible.
According to Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, "the street lamps are better left in the evidence room of the courts and not displayed in the city streets.
"Slim and small as they are, we can all agree that they represent corruption in a gigantic and scandalous proportion", he pointed out. "Eye – catching they may appear, but ugly heads are yet to roll for their anomalous acquisition," added Roma in a privilege speech before the Sanggunian.
"While thousands of Cebuanos contributed in their own way to make ASEAN summit successful, some of our public officials are callous enough to betray public trust by misappropriating the money of the taxpayers," Rama lamented.
Rama urged for the immediate removal of those lamp posts for "we don’t deserve them and it has no place inside our territorial jurisdiction. We have to uproot these "Kenkoy" lamp posts that are reflections of how dim our future could get if and when corrupt people are elected and hired in government services".
But according to Augustinito Hermoso, DPWH Legal Officer of Region VII, the Cebu City government has no legal authority to remove the decorative lamp posts because it was installed by the national government. Hermoso did not deny the allegation that the lamp posts were purchased at a very much higher price.
If the lamp posts are the real product or making of the national government officials, then it follows that corruption was done by the national government officials. If those officials will not remove it, then disclose the correct acquisition costs and return to the people the price differences.
The officials of Cebu City who had area jurisdiction where the questionable lamp posts were installed had valid reasons to remove those lamp posts. They want to remove from Cebu City a sterling model of graft and corruption and disallow their people from viewing statues of thieves. If they allowed staying along Cebu City streets, then Cebu City officials condone corruption in public office thereby becoming a part of it.
Kalibo Toilet
In Estancia, Kalibo, there is also a monument of graft and corruption. A toilet which, according to experienced building contractor, will not cost P100,000 to construct was constructed by DPWH, Kalibo, Aklan at P500,000.00 several years ago. To those who wish to see that model of inflated construction cost, they can visit the Milagrosa Cemetery’s entrance, along Osmeña Avenue. They can see a model of graft as done in Aklan.
Neither barangay chairman of Estancia nor Kalibo Mayor receive it. Perhaps, they refused to get associated with that questionable deal.
There are recommendations for DPWH Aklan to demolish it, otherwise, reveal the real cost of construction and refund the over price to the people. If they do this, image is really improved. /MP
In its recent sessions, the Cebu City Sanggunian has approved a resolution calling for the immediate removal from the streets of Cebu City all the alleged lamp posts bought at excessive sky high price. The said lamp posts were purchased just before the holding of the 12th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit.
The Cebu City Sanggunian has also created a task force headed by Cebu City Administrator Francisco Fernan-dez. The task force is asked to find out how the Cebu City government can go about the dismantling and removal of the lamp posts as early as possible.
According to Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, "the street lamps are better left in the evidence room of the courts and not displayed in the city streets.
"Slim and small as they are, we can all agree that they represent corruption in a gigantic and scandalous proportion", he pointed out. "Eye – catching they may appear, but ugly heads are yet to roll for their anomalous acquisition," added Roma in a privilege speech before the Sanggunian.
"While thousands of Cebuanos contributed in their own way to make ASEAN summit successful, some of our public officials are callous enough to betray public trust by misappropriating the money of the taxpayers," Rama lamented.
Rama urged for the immediate removal of those lamp posts for "we don’t deserve them and it has no place inside our territorial jurisdiction. We have to uproot these "Kenkoy" lamp posts that are reflections of how dim our future could get if and when corrupt people are elected and hired in government services".
But according to Augustinito Hermoso, DPWH Legal Officer of Region VII, the Cebu City government has no legal authority to remove the decorative lamp posts because it was installed by the national government. Hermoso did not deny the allegation that the lamp posts were purchased at a very much higher price.
If the lamp posts are the real product or making of the national government officials, then it follows that corruption was done by the national government officials. If those officials will not remove it, then disclose the correct acquisition costs and return to the people the price differences.
The officials of Cebu City who had area jurisdiction where the questionable lamp posts were installed had valid reasons to remove those lamp posts. They want to remove from Cebu City a sterling model of graft and corruption and disallow their people from viewing statues of thieves. If they allowed staying along Cebu City streets, then Cebu City officials condone corruption in public office thereby becoming a part of it.
Kalibo Toilet
In Estancia, Kalibo, there is also a monument of graft and corruption. A toilet which, according to experienced building contractor, will not cost P100,000 to construct was constructed by DPWH, Kalibo, Aklan at P500,000.00 several years ago. To those who wish to see that model of inflated construction cost, they can visit the Milagrosa Cemetery’s entrance, along Osmeña Avenue. They can see a model of graft as done in Aklan.
Neither barangay chairman of Estancia nor Kalibo Mayor receive it. Perhaps, they refused to get associated with that questionable deal.
There are recommendations for DPWH Aklan to demolish it, otherwise, reveal the real cost of construction and refund the over price to the people. If they do this, image is really improved. /MP
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