BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Upon assumption of office, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez issued an executive order creating the Bacolod City Good Governance Committee.
In such pursuit of good governance and in search for the truth, for which there was a great public clamor, Benitez, in his issued Executive Order No. 001 dated July 1, said there is a need to review previous transactions of the City to ensure that only obligations that complied with the applicable laws, rules and regulations will be honored by the current administration;
Weaknesses in the government processes, especially those involving public funds, will be identified and corrected, grand malevolent schemes of government will be prevented;
Responsible government officials will be held accountable for the graft and corrupt practices that may have caused great disadvantage and irreparable damage to the city and its residents.
To respond to the public clamor, while having in mind the seamless delivery of the administration’s public service and governance, Benitez said the creation of a dedicated ad hoc committee has become imperative under the circumstances.
The newly created Bacolod City Good Governance Committee has been tasked by Benitez to review processes and identify acts that will conform to good governance practices.
The committee, he added, will actively reports and ferret out truth on allegations of graft and corruption committed in the City Government, particularly by public officers and employees, their co-principals, accomplices and accessories from the private sector, if any.
They will steadfastly recommend to the mayor the appropriate action or measure necessary to ensure that the full measure of justice shall be served without fear and favor, and prudently exercise such other acts incidental, appropriate, and necessary to the objectives and purposes of the order, Benitez pointed out.
The committee is composed of City Legal Officer Atty Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. as the chairman, with City Administrator Atty Pacifico Maghari III and City Internal Auditor Jose Ray Agpangan as members.
Benitez wants the committee to accomplish its mission before June 30 next year.*
