Lapu mayor suspended over ‘misuse’ of funds
Case stemmed from the alleged misappropriation of P15 million from the Priority Development Assistance Fund of former Cebu congresswoman Clavel Asas- Martinez
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza was preventively suspended for 90 days over the graft charges for the alleged misuse of P15 million in pork barrel funds of a former congresswoman in 2002.
Radaza personally got the copy of the memorandum of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 7 implementing the resolutions of the Sandiganbayan, which indicate the suspension of Radaza and three others.
The resolution of Sandiganbayan Fifth Division was issued last Oct. 21, 2015, but it was not immediately implemented after Radaza filed a motion for reconsideration (MR).
In a press conference in her residence, Radaza said her lawyer is working on a legal remedy.
“This is a preventive suspension that I cannot understand kay wa man koy mapugngan nga papeles (because I cannot hold any documents related to the case) as a mayor,” she said.
In a 5-page memorandum, DILG 7 Director Rene Burdeos ordered Radaza to vacate her office.
“You are hereby directed to comply with this order of suspension by vacating your office and consequently cease the performance of powers and functions appurtenant thereto, immediately upon receipt hereof,” Burdeos’ order read.
The cases stemmed from the alleged misappropriation of P15 million from the priority development assistance fund of former Cebu congresswoman Clavel Asas- Martinez, who represented fourth district from 1998 to 2007.
According to the Office of the Ombudsman, Clavel allocated P15 million for the anti-drug campaign of the Girl Scout of the Philippines (GSP), but the use of the amount was not reflected on the GSP’s financial and audit report.
Clavel was the president of GSP Cebu Council while Radaza was the treasurer at that time.
Radaza, the former congresswoman and her son, Provincial Board Member Celestino “Tining” Martinez were charged by the Ombudsman with malversation of public funds and violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
When the Sandiganbayan resolutions were issued in October 2015, it also ordered the suspension of Celestino, former Bogo municipal treasurer Rhett Minguez and municipal accountant Cresencio Verdida.
Radaza filed her first MR last November 2015 and the second MR on May 4, 2016, but these were all denied.
While Radaza is suspended, Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong will serve as acting mayor. First councilor Harry Radaza will sit as the acting vice mayor.
Radaza said the city projects will not be affected because she and Ycong are allies and the department heads have been in office for quite a long time.
“Kung suspended ko (I am suspended but), it doesn’t mean I will stop serving the Oponganon. Most probably, I will go around,” Radaza said.