Donors told: Report non-payment of refund

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has asked those who gave donations for the Sinulog contingent of Barangay Apas to inform him if they were not given a refund.

He directed the Barangay Mayor’s Office (BMO) of Apas to refund whatever donations they got from businessmen following their win during the Sinulog sa Barangay sa Dakbayan last Sunday.

“Anyone who gave something to Apas using the Mayor’s Office or using my name or the City Hall logo and did not get the refund, come to me. I’ll see to it that you’ll get your refund,” he told reporters.

Osmeña said the refund should be made regardless of how small the amount is.

Earlier, Rey Suelto, who serves as the contingent head of BMO Sinulog committee said they only collected around P8,000 in donations.

In the solicitation letter that had the seal of the City Government and signed by Suelto, they were asking their sponsors a maximum of P1 million and minimum of P100,000 for the sponsorship of the Sinulog contingent from Apas.

Saying he did not authorize them, Osmeña immediately fired all those who were involved in the solicitation, including Renato Jardaleza, who delivered the letters to businessmen.

He said he will not tolerate direct or indirect extortion.

Osmeña then appointed Apas Councilor Virgilio Cabigon as the new head of the BMO in the village.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said that he will be filing charges after the Sinulog celebration this year against those who solicited money from businessmen.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, a lawyer, recommended to Apas to sue those behind the solicitation, saying that it is not allowed in government and is tantamount to estafa and swindling. /