Icupao chief denies bribe attempt on Pesina
Iloilo City Urban Poor and Affairs Office (Icupao) chair Roy Firmeza denied the allegations hurled by City Councilor Antonio Pesina that he attempted to bribe the latter of P50,000 in exchange for a favorable endorsement of a property in Jaro.
Firmeza yesterday said there was no effort on his part to bribe the councilor. There is no need to bribe him as Rogelio Tarrosa offered his property in Lanit, Jaro for a lower price. The 1.6 hectares of property is being sold for P150 per square meter.
In the economic side, bribe is only offered to increase the cost of the property and not to lower the price of the property being offered. The alleged bribe attempt never happened, said Firmeza.
Though, Firmeza confirmed there was time when he and and Pesina were in the Bluejay Coffee & Deli. Both have their own companions when they met.
With Pesina's accusation, Firmeza remained calm and believed he should not be onion-skinned being in the government service. He has no plan to take legal action against Pesina for his allegation.
Firmeza likewise welcomes the challenge of Pesina to have him replaced as the Icupao chair.
In yesterday's interview, Firmeza admitted dipping his hands in the transaction between the Tarrosas and the city government. He sees no conflict with his effort since the selling price was decreased from P250 per square meter to P150 per square meter.
It is an advantageous deal for the city government and the beneficiaries, Firmeza said.
The beneficiaries will later pay the city for the cost of the home lots awarded to them. He added he intervened with the land deal being part of the committee on land evaluation and acquisition created by Mayor Jerry Treñas.
On the issue of his refusal to submit proper documentation of the beneficiaries in the different relocation sites, Firmeza stood firm that he has provided all the members of the city council of his report.
He also considers his presence before the city council as an opportunity to give his report on the status of the city relocation sites as well as the beneficiaries. He is ready to attend the session next week as he is set to leave for China for an urban poor summit.
The Icupao chair said he has long been waiting for the time to discuss the issues and concerns over the relocation sites.