CEBU City Hall said it won’t pay Asian College of Technology International Educational Foundation (ACTIEF) to avoid conflict with the Ombudsman’s ruling against its founder, Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa of Cebu City’s south district.
In a pleading filed in court, City Attorney Jerone Castillo requested Judge Ricky Jones Macabaya of the Regional Trial Court Branch 5 to deny ACTIEF’s request to dismiss the case the city filed against the private school.
“In order to protect public funds, wouldn’t it be better for the city government to suspend its payments and wait for the final resolution of the charges against Congressman Abellanosa?” Castillo said.
The city government earlier filed a petition for declaratory relief against ACTIEF in court to “preserve and protect public funds.” It also asked the court for advice on whether or not the city should pay the tuition fees of its scholars enrolled at ACTIEF.
The city government expressed apprehension about paying ACT after the Ombudsman-Visayas found Abellanosa guilty of grave misconduct for his involvement in the city’s scholarship program that benefited two schools he owns.
ACTIEF has repeatedly claimed that Abellanosa is no longer connected with the school and its foundation since 2013 and has zero interest in the two institutions. But the city government said ACTIEF’s claim wasn’t supported by evidence.