VMLP-Capiz to return P200T Cebu City aid to city gov't
ROXAS CITY – The Vice Mayor’s League of the Philippines (VMLP) - Capiz decided to return to the city government the P200,000 financial aid donated by the Cebu City government for the typhoon Frank victims last year.
VMLP-Capiz Chapter President James “Mitang” Magbanua said that a consensus was reached by their group that they will refund the said amount to the city government.
Last week, the VMLP Capiz Chapter and the city government had been at odds over the P200,000 financial aid donated by the Cebu City government intended for Typhoon Frank victims after the check was not endorsed by the VMLP to the city government.
The city government had issued another check payable to VMLP in the amount of P200,000 since the league claimed that the said financial aid was coursed through them. The said check was given to Roxas City Vice Mayor Ronnie Dadivas being the city's representative who went to Cebu.
However, Bermejo accused the VMLP of misleading the city government by claiming that the said financial aid was intended for the league prompting him to issue another check of the same amount payable to the league. He added that the city government only knew of the real purpose when the Cebu City government faxed the voucher which stated that it was intended for the typhoon Frank victims.
Earlier, Dadivas hit the Bermejo administration for realigning calamity funds in the amount of P8.9 million and used the money to pay the land owners of People’s Park, heavy equipment and employees terminal leave. Bermejo strongly denied Dadivas's claim saying that the funds were reverted to the 2008 annual budget.
In an interview over dyOW Bombo Radyo, Vice Mayor Michael Rama, national VMLP president and acting mayor of Cebu City, confirmed that the said financial aid was intended for Roxas City government to be used for typhoon Frank victims.
On his part, Dadivas said that he received the check from Cebu City and turned over the check to the city government in good faith. He added that the check was withdrawn by Pontevedra Vice Mayor Noeme Dumapig, the league treasurer.
Dadivas, who accused the city government of maliciously bringing up the issue, said that he never believed the city government did not know the real purpose of the check since Magbanua have an initial talk with Bermejo regarding the check.
On the other hand, Rey Cordenillo, city administrator, said that from the start, the city government has no knowledge about the real purpose of the check.
He said that Bermejo had issued the check to VMLP in good faith since the transmittal of the check which was signed by Rama stated that it was intended for the league.
Finally, Cordenillo said that it was on July 1 when they saw the disbursement voucher that it was intended for the city government’s typhoon victims.
He clarified that the issue is not about money but to correct the record and procedure of the city government.