Alcoy mayor suspended over P21,000; Osmena dares landfill owner to sue City Hall; Councilors want cash aid distribution probed-Cebu News Digest

This is the roundup of stories that came out in local publications today, October 5, 2016.

NO MERIT. The Ombudsman dismissed a complaint against Mike Rama over a rally staged at City Hall for lack of merit. (Photo from Mike Rama’s Facebook page)

Ombudsman clears Rama, suspends Alcoy mayor over cash advance

BELEAGUERED former Cebu City mayor Mike Rama got a break after the Ombudsman cleared him and two other officials over an allegedly illegal protest held in City Hall last year. The office dismissed the complaints filed by Patricio Salado, retired Col. Felix Mangyao against Rama, Joel Garganera and ABC president Philip Zafra for lack of merit. On the other hand, the Ombudsman ordered Alcoy mayor Michael Angelo Sestoso for one month and one day over his failure to liquidate the P21,078 in travel expenses for a trip to Boracay in 2010 yet.

Respondent’s failure to liquidate his cash advance for a period of over five years is a clear display of carelessness and failure to give proper attention to the task expected of him. Eleanor Tayad-de Mira, graft investigation and prosecution officer.

Read: Cebu Daily News: Rama gets a break, Alcoy mayor faces suspension for 2010 expenses

Sun.Star Cebu: Mayor says his documents went missing in treasurer’s office.

Stubborn Tomas says only Supreme Court can make City pay landfill

A DEFIANT Tomas Osmena said only the Supreme Court can make Cebu City pay the P32 million it owes in tipping fees to a private landfill in Consolacion. Osmena said a representative of ASian Energy Systems Corp. visited his office to collect the P32 million it owes for the first half of 2016 but added he remained firm that he won’t play since there is no valid contract with the owner.

I told him you go ahead and sue me. It’s okay. I recommended it. That’s the only way you can get it. I’m not going to pay…Asian Energy has no contract. And he’s trying to collect P32 million. So, sorry. I’m not going to do it. Tomas Osmena.

Read: Cebu Daily News: Osmena urges landfill owner to sue City Hall to get P32 million payment.

Freeman: Osmena cites absence of contract for refusing to pay private landfill

City Council asks Ombudsman for probe over cash aid distribution

THE Cebu City Council wants the Obmudsman to probe City Hall over irregularities in the cash aid distribution to senior citizens, saying the distribution wasn’t done in the barangay halls in some areas.

Nalawgaw ang distribusyon niining gamay apan makahulugang kantidad nga salapi tungod sa mando sa hepe ehekutibo ning syudad sa Sugbo. Sakit kaayo kining nahitabo karon kay kalit lang gibalhin ngadto sa laing dapit, ug laing tawo, gawas sa kadtong gitahasan sa ordinansa sa syudad, ang nagdumala niining maong distribusyon sa matag senior citizen. Councilor Pastor Alcover.

Read: Freeman: Team Rama cites irregularities in cash aid distribution

Cebu Daily News: Pesquera files resolution for probe on cash aid distribution.