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| Mayor Romero (2nd from right) explains the nitty - gritty of an issue |
Amid the brouhahas on the alleged payroll scam in Mangaldan
in Pangasinan, political columnist Mortz C. Ortigoza interviewed Mangaldan
Mayor Herminio Romero about his stance on the so-called scam, the Commission of
Audit investigation among several municipal personnel, and the filling of the
case against them today (Tuesday, May 15, 2012) by the provincial attorney at
the Civil Service Commission, excerpts:
Mortz C. Ortigoza
(MCO): What’s your take on the rally this afternoon at the plaza, mayor?
Herminio Romero (HAR):
Actually Biyernes pa lang aprobado ko na iyan. I encouraged them to do it in a
very peaceful and proper manner. Kasi I asked our chief of police (Lt.
Colonel Mateo C. Casupang) and the
organizer (barangay) kagawad Erica Limon na mag usap sila (chief) ng mechanics.
Kagaya ng who will be the organizer of the musical rally. It will begin at 4 o’clock
this afternoon at saka hanggang 6 pm.
MCO: There would be
some prominent people who will speak there?
HAR: I don’t
know. Maaring merong ganoon. Hopefully, hindi gagawing political iyong meeting.
Lambast doon, lambast dito!
MCO: Who is behind the
rally?
HAR: Organizer is
Erika Limon. Ayon sa kanyang note (letter he sent to the mayor’s office) ay
they do not allow politicians in the musical rally. Kaya lang si hepe ang gusto
niyang maniguro na walang bad elements na sumingit. He takes precaution. Si
hepe at siya (Limon) ay nag-usap na diyan.
MCO: If anyone who would
go there and denounced your administration, do you think you would be
defenseless for it?
HAR: Ya, kasi
rally nila iyon.
MCO: I heard that
within this week there would be result from the investigation on the alleged
payroll padding under your administration?
HAR: Actually,
iyong COA (Commission of Audit) as far as the payroll scam is concerned tapos
na sila. However, they have expanded -- hindi ko alam iyong expand audit nila (I saw there this afternoon special COA
personnel from San Carlos City at the office of the treasurer. They told me
they do updates. Someone told me there that the bursar and the municipal
accountant are on leave- Mortz). The reports of the COA would be
submitted to the regional director in San Fernando City in La Union. Sila po ay
magbibigay ng final report sa amin. Iyan ang protocol nila. It will be the
regional office that will give the final report saka ibibigay sa amin.
Hopefully, hangang Biyernes ang kanilang
imbestigasyon. Ibibigay na sa region. Siguro after that mga two weeks may
ibibigay na sa amin na final report.
Pero, what we have done Mortz is we will not be waiting for
the final report. Medyo matagal na. Pangalawa, we do not know if it will be postponed.
Madi-delay. Iyong advised of our legal consultants at saka iyong kasama namin
na ibigay na lang iyong reports ng COA for 15 months (investigation). 12 months
for 2011 and three (3) months for 2012. They are sufficient basis for the Civil
Service Commission’s investigation and eventual action. They will be the one to
investigate.
MCO: Basing on the
sentiments of the people in Mangaldan, they want heads to roll. Are you going
to make some heads roll because of the acrimonious scam things?
HAR: Dependi sa
report ng CSC. CSC is the one (that will do the sanction).
MCO: Iyong preventive
suspension si Civil Service Commission na rin?
HAR. Sila na,
pati iyong dismissal sila na rin.
MCO: Kelan mag pa-file
ng case sa CSC ang municipio?
HAR: As far as I
am concerned the provincial legal officer natin si Dindin (Atty. Geraldine
Baniqued) has sent her personnel to file (the case against the concerned
employees) this afternoon. We will wait for the receipt of the complaint. Kaya
pakisabi na lang hindi na namin hinintay ang final report ng COA dahil baka
tatagal uli. This is upon the advice of our legal counsel. They (Mangaldanians)
do not need to wait for the final report from the COA.
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