'Unfazed' Gallar sued before Ombudsman

By Florence F. Hibionada and Ronilo L. Pamonag

Gallar

Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada filed Thursday afternoon with the Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas a complaint against 3 rd District Board Member Emmanuel Gallar for allegedly faking the attendance sheets of a consultation meeting in order to pocket public funds.

In his 3-paged affidavit, Mejorada accused Gallar of frustrated malversation through falsification by a public officer, and dishonesty and grave misconduct in public office.

Unruffled by the complaint against him, Gallar dismissed it as “nothing but political harassment and a ploy to divert the issue of the P3.5 million food expenses of the Capitol.”

The charges stemmed from the request of Gallar for payment of meals amounting to P51,000, which were served to some 250 persons that attended a consultative meeting he held November 12 last year at Cabatuan town in the province's 3 rd district.

“That upon routine inquiry with the Municipal Mayor's office in Cabatuan, Iloilo, where the supposed consultative meeting was held, I found out that no such activity took place at the Cabatuan Covered Gym on the date indicated in the documents submitted by Board Member Gallar,” Mejorada said in his affidavit.

Mejorada then contacted several persons whose names appeared on the attendance sheets.

According to his affidavit, Mejorada talked to Domingo Pulmones, Bram Pimentel, Florencio Peñaflorida, Ernesto de los Santos, Pedro Lobaton and Rodolfo Grande, who are barangay captains from the town of Pototan, also in the 3 rd district.

“…they claimed that they never attended an activity conducted by Board Member on that day, nor any other day for that matter, as they have not met with him for a consultation meeting,” Mejorada further narrated in his affidavit.

By presenting the attendance sheets for reimbursement, Gallar violated articles 217 and 171 of the Revised Penal Code “…and other pertinent laws governing the conduct of public officials,” Mejorada concluded.

Go back to the real issue

Gallar retorted that Mejorada should focus on the issue of the P3.5 million incurred for food expenses over a 12-month period, and which the Commission on Audit observed as 'unconscionable, extravagant and excessive.'

Let us go back to the real issue please, he said, adding that the public needs answers to the P3.5 million food expenses

“I am confident it will not prosper. And 'frustrated malversation?,'” Gallar wondered, seemingly confused of the charges which Mejorada lodged against him.

Gallar was dragged into the fray after Mejorada alleged in a press conference disclosing an alleged attempt of the board member to cash in on what the administrator described as a 'ghost meeting.'

“Balikan ta bala ang isyu. Ang ginahambal di amo ang P3.5 million nga special audit sang (Let us go back to the issue. What was being discussed was the P3.5

million special audit of the) COA covering July to December 2003 and January to June 2004. Now here comes Mr. Mejorada in their defense saying it was me who should be charged because of a November 2004 meeting that I called for. Atubangon ko na iya ang

ila gina-akusar sa akon pero mas nagakadapat nga atubangon kag explikar gid nila ang P3.5 million (I will face and answer their accusations but it is more appropriate for them to face and explain the P3.5 million). And did I get any money here? Let them prove it and I will resign.,” Gallar told The News Today.