• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Former Mayor Mark Golez yesterday backed the conduct of an inquiry, in aid of legislation, that the House committee on Public Accounts scheduled for November 4, into alleged anomalies in the procurement and irregular enactment of local measures by the Silay City government.
Golez, who filed his Certificate of Candidacy for Silay City mayoral position on Monday, disclosed that complaints were filed against Mayor Joedith Gallego before the Ombudsman, on alleged issues of corruption.
Representative Stephen Joseph Paduano, the caretaker of the Third District of Negros Occidental, in his privilege speech at the House of Representatives, claimed of alleged misuse of funds by the Silay City government, led by Mayor Joedith Gallego, involving the repair, rehabilitation and renovation of the city public market, with a budget of P300 million and construction of the P500 million new City Hall, with approved local measures that are allegedly laden with discrepancies, irregularities, and evident partiality.
Gallego, who defeated Golez in the 2022 Silay City mayoral elections, has maintained that everything has been complied with, and the procedures were followed, as mandated by law.
“It’s trial by publicity and a demolition job because elections are near,” the mayor said.
Gallego also branded it as political harassment, as he dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Golez said that Rep. Paduano, who chairs the Committee on Public Accounts, is just doing his job, stressing also that the solon has a compelling reason to stand up on alleged issues of corruption against the incumbent mayor, which was filed before the Ombudsman, under oath, by the complainants.
For me, as a public citizen, I will observe and watch, and hopefully, be guided, as we go along, he added.
Paduano earlier said that he expects Gallego to defend, and explain himself to the people and to the public, all allegations against him.
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, a congressional aspirant for the Negros Occidental 3rd district, has endorsed the tandem of Golez and Councilor Ryan Gamboa, along with other Asenso Silay candidates.
“I am here to support the Asenso Silay,” Benitez said, which he added, is also supported by his father, former Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, and uncle, TESDA secretary Jose Francisco Benitez.
At the same time, Benitez also thanked Gallego for supporting his congressional bid.*
