Puentevella scores SP’s speedy approval of loan proposal
BACOLOD CITY — Lone District Representative Monico Puentevella said recently that the main reason why the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Bacolod City rushed the release of P250 million loan with Philippine Veterans Bank through the passage of an appropriation ordinance, is because that part of the loan will be utilized as campaign funds.
Puentevella said that if the present administration is seriously concerned with the squatters, the problem could have been addressed long time ago considering that some of them had already served for almost nine years.
He also said that since the loan will be covered later by the banning period, some of the city officials wanted to partake out of their shares.
Puentevella cited that in the previous election, the Leonardia administration also expedited the release of P394.9 million loan with the Philippine National Bank for the New Government Center construction, due also to the scheduled Local and National Election.
He scored the administration of using the name of the squatters to avail of the PVB Loan.
Puentevella said that the owners of the subject property are delinquent tax payers, hence the city can exercise its right to acquire the property with minimal funds.
Puentevella believed that the loan cannot be released right away because there is a pending case at the Regional Trial Court Branch 53 for the granting of a preliminary injunction and also a pending case at the Provincial Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (PARAB).
Puentevella clarified that his main purpose in calling for a congressional inquiry on Friday against the P250 million loan is in of legislation. He said that it is now high time to enact a law, prohibiting the Local Government Unit to enter into a loan contract most specifically if this will fall during election period, this will be treated as unfair and unjust for whoever will be seated after election time.
