Mandaue College officials sue Jonas

CEBU - Officials of the Mandaue City College have filed a civil lawsuit of mandamus with damages, preliminary injunction and the issuance of a temporary restraining order against Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and treasurer Lorna Atega before the Mandaue City Regional Trial Court for their failure to release the funds for the school this year.

The civil case was filed by Mandaue City College officials — Dr. Paulus Cañete, Dr. Doreen Espina, Dr. Edgar Agustilo, Dr. Elemer Ripalda, Dr. Benjamin Luague and teachers Hayette Delos Reyes, Elni Mari Mendoza, Ludivico Duran and Mark Erwin Saldua.

The complainant said that under a resolution dated February 8, by the Sangguniang Panglungsod, a financial aid is to be appropriated to Mandaue City College in the amount of P5 million to meet necessary expenditures particularly the unpaid salaries of the school officials, staff and faculty members.

In the complaint, it was stated that the budget should take effect at the beginning of the calendar year. However, without valid and legal reasons, the mayor refused to disburse the funds to the college.

Demands have been made even appeals from the Sangguniang Pang-lungsod on the budget to be released for the payment of teacher salaries and yet none have been made.

This is the reason why a Mandamus has been filed for the release of the said funds to the college and school president Dr. Paulus Cañete.

On top of the mandamus, a suit for damages has been filed in the amount of P1 million for the illegal and unjust acts of the mayor and to serve him a lesson for disregarding the law.

Aside from the damages, the complainants compelled the plaintiffs to pay P100,000 as way of attorneys fees, costs of suit and expenses of litigation.

A temporary restraining order and a writ of preliminary injunction have also been asked preventing the defendants from disbursing the said amount other persons other than the plaintiffs.

According to the complaint, Cortes directed Atega to release the said funds to other person other than the complainants. — Jasmin R. Uy/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)