SK Fed’s P502,000 receipt ‘dubious’–youth coalition
The Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Coalition-Iloilo scored the SK Federation of Iloilo City headed by John Melchor Mabilog for submitting what they describe as a “dubious” lump-sum receipt to justify the expenses worth P502,700 for the trip to Palawan joined by 75 SK officials in the city.
The group claimed that P1.3 million was spent by the SK Federation for the “Capability Development Program” in Palawan last September 17 to 21.
At Monday’s hearing called by Councilor Jason Gonzales, chairman of the committee on good government, Mabilog, nephew of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, was a no-show.
He filed a vacation leave from the Sangguniang Panlungsod for November 22 to 24, according to the complaining group.
Instead, his staff , who represented him, turned over the controversial receipt to Gonzales, who said the lump-sum receipt is an “unusual practice” because SK officials are supposed to liquidate individually.
He also questioned why hotel accommodations, tour guide, van rentals, boat rentals and entrance fees, were included in the same receipt.
SK Reform Coalition-Iloilo convenor, Fem del Rosario, SK chairperson of Brgy. Libertad, said in a press statement the practice of presenting lump-sum receipts is “innately corrupt.”
“The receipt poses a problem because the items included cannot be accounted for and cannot be traced,” Del Rosario said.
The group said that outside of the receipt, expenses incurred were for airfare, vessel fare, lunch expenses at the Mall of Asia, and travel expenses to and from the Senate and Mall of Asia.*
