DBM may charge Degamo over P480M: Roxas

Metro Post - By Alex Rey V. Pal

• Sun, Dec 09, 2012

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas says the Department of Budget and Management may file
charges of Malfeasance against Gov. Roel Degamo for ordering the release of P480
million to rehabilitate areas damaged by Tropical Storm Sendong despite the Negative
Special Allotment Release Order (Saro) issued by the DBM.

In a press conference at the PNP headquarters in Agan-an, Sibulan last Thursday,

Roxas said that the issuance of a Negative Saro means that the money should go back
to the DBM.

He said he is aware that the DBM issued a Negative Saro last June after transferring to
the coffers of the Province the amount of P480 million which represented half of the
amount needed to rehabilitate areas identified as having been damaged by Sendong.

“I understand there are provisions in the local government code as well as other
regulations of government that for certain type of projects, DPWH has to undertake an
assessment of the LGU to undertake the project. DPWH has assessed that capacity is
not present locally. So that’s why the money is now going to national government
agencies who will be undertaking over these projects,” Roxas said.

When pressed to clarify the status of Negros Oriental, where the money was released
despite the issuance of a Negative Saro, Roxas said “the DBM can file charges of
malfeasance for not following [the order]. It’s DBM’s regulation,” he said.

Gov. Degamo, meanwhile, had previously gone on record that he would be willing to go
to jail for ordering the release of the fund because the money is being spent for the
benefit of the people of Negros Oriental. “Magpapriso ko para kaninyo,” he said in
previous interviews.

Graft raps - vs - high capitol dad

February 24, 2013 – Negros Chronicle

The Bureau of Local Government Finance is conducting a preliminary investigation on

graft charges filed by a lady provincial board member against the provincial treasurer of
Negros Oriental to determine whether there is probable cause in filing administrative
charges against him.

A graft charge was filed by Board Member Jessica Jane (Ikay) Villanueva – Koppin
against Danilo Mendez for “alleged dishonesty, gross negligence, abuse of authority and
malversation of public funds,” under the governorship of Roel Degamo.

1st District Board Member Jessica Jane Koppin, is a loyal partymate of Liberal Party
gubernatorial bet 1st District Jocelyn “Josy” Limkaichong who is running for governor
against Gov Roel Degamo.
But this is just a fact finding process. If the BLGF finds no probable cause, then the
case will be dismissed. Otherwise, the administrative case will follow in case there is
indeed a probable cause.

Gov Degamo told the CHRONICLE in a telephone interview Friday night that “this is
obviously a political harassment case” and that the people might sympathize with the
victims of injustice. He said that he will defend his department heads to the hilt because
they are his loyal alter egos. They operate upon his instructions being the governor and
head of the province.

The governor explained that his political rivals are just testing the waters, if not forum
shopping which is a ground for dismissal of the charge. They are not even sure where
to file the case whether with the DILG, Ombudsman, Office of the President, or Dept of
Finance.

The BLGF has given the provincial treasurer ample time to submit his justification
through an affidavit the reasons why he should not be administratively charged and
placed under preventive suspension for the alleged charges of BM Koppin.

BLGF OIC-Regional Director Carmelane G. Tugas in a letter dated February 7, 2013

informed and furnished Provincial Treasurer Danilo C. Mendez of the charges filed by
Koppin and asked him to provide justifications that would exonerate him.

Nevertheless, Governor Roel Degamo has indicated his all out support to Mr. Mendez,
who faithfully carried out his instructions for the alleged release of the amount of P 143,
268, 441.59 from the calamity fund entrusted to the province of Negros Oriental as
mobilization payment to the various contractors.

The job mainly undertook dredging, rechanneling and deepening activities of the
various rivers systems of the province to prevent the occurrence of floods caused by
Typhoon Sendong. And the people appreciated such fast action.
It was later learned that the Department of Budget and Management directed the
capitol officials to return the P 480 million representing 50% of the total amount of
calamity fund already deposited in the account of the province.

DBM Asec Mario Relampagos wrote the capitol claiming that its implementation shall
instead be carried out by the Department of Public Works and Highways being the sole
implementing arm of the National Government for large-scale funded infrastructure
projects.

Having been released, the provincial government proceeded with the bidding in the in
the interest of public service, and to speed up the avoidance of the recurrence of the
river overflows in case another typhoon comes along. This, despite the DBM recall
order.

Capitol had disbursed the funds just for mobilization. And indeed, the initial work
prevented another flooding and river overflows and damages when typhoon Pablo came
along early this year.

In her complaint affidavit dated January 16, 2013, Board Member Koppin accused
Mendez of dishonesty, gross negligence and abuse of authority. In the cover letter of
Carmelane Tugas, OIC regional BLGF director, she did not specify any details about the
complaint.

BLGF director Tugas said she furnished Mendez with all the attachments which were not
released to Media . Capitol sources believe it could be about the bidding of the P480M
calamity fund despite the DMB recall order.

BM Koppin requested that Mendez be placed “under preventive suspension so that

Mendez could not hamper the normal course of the investigation through the use of his
influence and authority over material records of the case.”

But no such suspension could be ordered yet until after the preliminary investigation.

Furthermore, the provincial treasurer was also asked to explain and reply in l5 days
from Feb 7, to Koppin’s charge for malversation of public funds. The provincial treasury
certified to the existence of such calamity funds even in the face of the negative SARO
which resulted after DBM’S Mario Relampagos’ letter and recall-directive. (by Dems Rey
Demecillo)

Governor counters with Ombudsman case vs. DBM Asec.

March 10, 2013 - Negros Chronicle

In defense of provincial treasurer Danilo Mendez, Gov. Roel Degamo fired a counter
salvo against the Assistant Secretary of the Dept. of Budget and Management, Mario
Relampagos, by filing an Ombudsman case in Manila against the DBM official for alleged
usurpation of powers.

This was confirmed by provincial attorney Atty. Richard Enojo. He said that the case,
which was filed by the Governor directly at the Ombudsman in Manila, stemmed from
the order of Relampagos stopping the usage of P480 million in calamity funds, saying it
has to be the DPWH who will administer the same, being a high-finance project over
P10 milion.
Enojo briefed the CHRONICLE on the following points of the governor:

1. The money was released by Malacanang as its calamity fund aid to Negros Oriental’s
victims of Typhoon Sendong. P480M released by Pres. Aquino was initially half of what
was approved by PNoy for P960 million just for Negros Oriental;

2. The release order was made to DBM by executive secretary Atty. Paquito Ochoa, who
is the alter ego of the President. Ochoa caused the money to be deposited by DBM in
the account of the provincial government in DBP Dumaguete;
3. Suddenly, a junior officer, DBM Asec. Relampagos, issues an order recalling the
President’s release of funds;

4. Gov. Degamo, thru counsel, demanded the source of Relampagos’ order of recall, but
until today, Relampagos has allegedly remained silent and failed to authenticate the
source of his recall order upon the provincial government;

5. Thus, Degamo proceeded with the bidding and awards of the P480M to various
contractors who started with P143 million in mobilization fund;

6. That quite timely, Typhoon Pablo came along and their initial dredging and
fortification of several river banks in the province prevented further damage to crops
and properties;

7. That the governor anchored his insistence on using the P480M in the interest of
service to the people, and indeed, it paid off because millions could have been
damaged by succeeding floods of Typhoon Pablo had the money not been used for
flood fortifications and control;

8. Now, the governor could be sued for defying Relampagos’ order, which, until now, is
not backed up by official sanctions from higher echelons;

9. Before using such funds, the governor persistently asked Relampagos the source of
his order, but until now, Relampagos is silent, thus, the governor proceeded with using
the P480M for flood control.

10. And consequently, Degamo sued Relampagos before the Ombudsman for alleged
usurpation of powers under the President. (by AMB. DR MacARTHUR F. CORSINO)