PORAC, Pampanga – “Where’s the P3 millionexcess bonuses?” This was the question posed by Municipal Councilor and Philippine Councilors’ League– Pampanga (PCL-Pamp.) President Mike Tapang to Mayor Condralito Carling” Dela Cruz on the alleged surplus in the bonus of municipal employees.
Tapang, who also serves as ex officio provincial board member, said the sangguniang bayan (SB) approved a supplemental budget under donations and grants with the local finance committee last December where P15.7 million was approved for release for the bonuses of municipal employees at P40,000 each.
But Tapang said the amount for bonuses only sums up to P12 million. “Where’s the rest?” he asked. Tapang said he had information that the P3.7 million is allegedly used by Dela Cruz as his “discretionary funds.”
Tapang also challenged Dela Cruz to give a detailed report on the municipal government’s expenditures. “As it is, the mayor only gives out only general accounting or lump sum reports. What we are asking for all along are the detailed expenditures in the reports,” he explained.
The municipal government is reporting expenses amounting to several thousand but it lacks details on what particular purpose it was used, Tapang said.
Dela Cruz has said all information needed for transparency are posted in the web (www.poracpampanga.gov.ph) as well as in three conspicuous places in the town – the bulletin board at entrance to the municipal hall building, the public market and at the premises of the St. Catherine Parish Church.
Meanwhile, Tapang also denied Dela Cruz’s allegations that he wanted to monopolize the contracts for the development of the multi-billion Alviera project in the town. The mayor has accused Tapang of bringing contractors to the Alviera project and insisted on their exclusivity on the contracts.
“Buri da ila mu. Enaman pwedi ita (They wanted only them. That is not right),” he said. That’s not true, Tapang said.
