PALAYAN CITY – A government bank is in danger of losing some P54-million to the provincial government of Nueva Ecija as the sangguniang panlalawigan (SP) questioned the release of the amount which was used reportedly for the construction of a sports facility.
Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson, presiding officer of the board, disclosed on Sunday that he filed criminal and administrative charges for graft against Gov. Aurelio Umali, and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Department Head Regina Nimes before the Office of the Ombudsman and Malacanang.
Nimes, documents showed, was head of the LBP Nueva Ecija Lending Center when the transaction that involved the loan was made.
But besides filing the cases, the board has repeatedly denied approval of budget for repayment of the loan, it was learned.
Joson explained that “it was because the loan deal between Umali and the LBP was not authorized by the board.”
In his complaint, Joson alleged that Umali executed a Promissory Note with Assignment of Internal revenue Allotments and Lease Rentals and other Receivables after receiving from the LBP the principal sum of P54-million, allegedly without proper authority from the provincial board on July 8, 2008.
By accepting the notes and releasing the money without proper asking for authority from the board, Nimes “acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross excusable negligence which caused undue injury to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan” for having its authority baypassed, Joson charged.
The money was reportedly used in the construction of a sports coliseum in this city.
Joson noted that the old board had to pass a specific authority to former Gov. Tomas Joson III for and on behalf of the provincial government in connection with the same loan.
Section 8.23 of an existing loan agreement between the Nueva Ecija provincial government and the LBP, according to the complaint requires “Borrowing resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, authorizing its Local Chief Executive and, approving and ratifying all terms and conditions of the loan.”
The charges against Umali and Nimes were among the four sets of cases filed against the provincial chief executive. Joson has earlier filed seven other cases.
However, some appointees of Umali at the provincial government have also filed graft charges against Joson, his father and former Gov. Tomas Joson III and other officials.
Umali, as well as Nimes, has yet to comment on the charges. But Umali’s camp said the charges can easily be seen as political.
Vice Gov. Edward Thomas Joson, presiding officer of the board, disclosed on Sunday that he filed criminal and administrative charges for graft against Gov. Aurelio Umali, and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) Department Head Regina Nimes before the Office of the Ombudsman and Malacanang.
Nimes, documents showed, was head of the LBP Nueva Ecija Lending Center when the transaction that involved the loan was made.
But besides filing the cases, the board has repeatedly denied approval of budget for repayment of the loan, it was learned.
Joson explained that “it was because the loan deal between Umali and the LBP was not authorized by the board.”
In his complaint, Joson alleged that Umali executed a Promissory Note with Assignment of Internal revenue Allotments and Lease Rentals and other Receivables after receiving from the LBP the principal sum of P54-million, allegedly without proper authority from the provincial board on July 8, 2008.
By accepting the notes and releasing the money without proper asking for authority from the board, Nimes “acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross excusable negligence which caused undue injury to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan” for having its authority baypassed, Joson charged.
The money was reportedly used in the construction of a sports coliseum in this city.
Joson noted that the old board had to pass a specific authority to former Gov. Tomas Joson III for and on behalf of the provincial government in connection with the same loan.
Section 8.23 of an existing loan agreement between the Nueva Ecija provincial government and the LBP, according to the complaint requires “Borrowing resolution passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, authorizing its Local Chief Executive and, approving and ratifying all terms and conditions of the loan.”
The charges against Umali and Nimes were among the four sets of cases filed against the provincial chief executive. Joson has earlier filed seven other cases.
However, some appointees of Umali at the provincial government have also filed graft charges against Joson, his father and former Gov. Tomas Joson III and other officials.
Umali, as well as Nimes, has yet to comment on the charges. But Umali’s camp said the charges can easily be seen as political.
