• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Mayor Joedith Gallego yesterday decried “political harassment,” as he dismissed as baseless the claims of Negros Occidental 3rd district caretaker, Representative Stephen Joseph Paduano, on alleged irregularities in the implementation of big ticket infrastructure projects in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Those are mere allegations and not backed by evidence, Gallego said.
Paduano earlier disclosed that the House committee on Public Accounts, which he chairs, will investigate alleged procurement anomalies and the irregular enactment of local measures by the Silay City government.
In a recent privilege speech at the House of Representatives, Paduano said it has come to his attention that the Silay City government, led by Mayor Joedith Gallego, has approved local measures that are allegedly laden with discrepancies, irregularities, and evident partiality.
These acts are particularly concerning as it involved misuse of public funds that, if not exposed, would cause undue burden and irreparable injury to the constituents of Silay City, the solon claimed, apparently referring to 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.
Gallego maintained that everything was 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 stressed.
Of the P1.1 billion loans secured by his administration, Gallego said that P500 million will be used in the construction of the new City Hall, which had a proposed budget of P1 billion in the previous administration, and P300 million each, for the Silay public market and City College.
He also disclosed that contrary to claims, the three infrastructure projects have different contractors.
Gallego, who will be seeking his second term as mayor of Silay City, said he is ready anytime to face any inquiry.
His reelection bid is expected to be challenged by former Mayor Mark Golez, a known ally of Paduano, who is also supported by the Benitez siblings, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Alfredo and former 3rd district Representative turned TESDA secretary Jose Francisco.
Golez and Gallego are both members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipino, a political party of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.*
