One Cebu files plaint against gov at Ombud

THE opposition One Cebu party yesterday made good on its threat to sue Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and 14 others over the release of P40 million to various local government units (LGUs) in the third legislative district last month.

Represented by their lawyer Mel Abnir Amadora, One Cebu asked the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate the governor and the other respondents whom they said were liable for malversation of public funds.

In its complaint, One Cebu alleged that Davide released P40 million supposedly for the beautification project of Provincial Board Member Grecilda Sanchez-Zaballero in Cebu’s third district.

But One Cebu noticed that the LGUs which received the amount are headed by known political supporters or allies of Davide, a gubernatorial candidate of the Liberal Party (LP), and Zaballero, a candidate for congressman in the district.

Amadora said some elected officials in the third district claimed that they did not notice any beautification projects in the barangays which received the amount from Capitol.

Aside from Davide, named respondents in the complaint were Zaballero and acting provincial treasurer Emmanuel Guial.

Also impleaded were Barangay Captains Jesus Lao of Tubod, Eustaquia Alivio of Ubogon, Alison Bustillo of Agbanga, Zenaida Juntong of Bairan, Climaco Carido of Lanao, Andrew Dumdum of Poblacion; barangay treasurers Jimie hara of Tubod, Evelyn Atamosa of Ubogon, Lani Landero of Agbanga, Joan Reyes of Bairan, Geraldyn Bane of Lanao, and Emily Perales of Poblacion — all of the municipality of Asturias.

Davide earlier said the filing of the cases was a “desperate move” and he had nothing to fear from it. He said he would answer it in the appropriate time.

Zaballero echoed Davide’s point, saying that the project was legitimate and across the board.