Tigbauan execs ordered to explain gas station clearance
The Office of the Ombudsman Visayas based in Iloilo City has not yet forgotten the controversial clearance given by the municipal officials of Tigbauan, Iloilo for a gasoline station to operate in the town proper.
Just recently, six top officials of the said municipality led by reelected Mayor James Excelsior Torres were ordered by the Provincial Board to explain the town’s questionable gas station deal.
With the public outcry then headed by the Catholic Church here, the latest order came from the Iloilo Sanggunian Panlalawigan (SP) which in turn was prodded for action by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.
Docketed as CPL-V-09-1365, co-respondents of the mayor were Vice Mayor Roel Jarina, Councilors Norberto Turalba and Marlon Terunez and Jimmy Tupas, acting Municipal Planning and Development Officer (MPDO).
Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca-Santiago in a letter called for the Capitol to act on the matter “preferably within twenty (20) days....” Vice Governor Rolex Suplico lost no time in heeding the Ombudsman’s request with the authority granted to SP Secretary Lorenzo Tubola to issue the Order.
As such, Mayor Torres, Vice Mayor Jarina and the four others implicated in the complaint were directed to submit answers to the irregularities as raised before the Anti-Graft Body. Deadline was set on or before June 15th with attached warning, “Unreasonable failure on the part of the respondents to file an answer shall be considered as waiver of right to present evidence on their behalf.”
At the center of the controversy was the approval of Resolution No. 2009-064 and Tigbauan’s lease agreement with Santos Petroleum.
Residents banded against the deal pointing out existing prohibition set forth by the town itself. Further still, location of the gas station has since been questioned and objected due to health concerns.
“The procedure for the lease of government properties was not followed...,” the complaint went as considered by the Ombudsman. “ Resolution 2009-064 gave undue favor and advantage to Santos Petroleum Corporation and grossly discriminated other persons. It completely ignored health and safety hazards and environmental concerns of the residents of Tigbauan, Iloilo.....And worse, it was done by public officials who are charged with enforcing thelaw/Ordinance. The very people elected and chosen by the public betrayed the public trust reposed upon them who are supposed to be mandated to enforce and implement laws, ordinances at all times, ensure and promote health, safety, convenience and general welfare of its people. The Municipal Mayor, Vice Mayor and Sangguniang Bayan members of the Municipality of Tigbauan who voted for the passage of Resolution No. 2009-064 have all betrayed public trust.”
