Shimura wants resolution lauding mayor taken back

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura has appealed his colleagues to withdraw a resolution commending Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro for “his prudent and efficient handling of the overall relief operations” for the typhoon victims in his hometown in Daanbantayan.

Shimura delivered a privilege speech yesterday to “resonate” the call of some of the barangay captains of Daanbantayan to investigate the alleged irregularities in the handling and distribution of relief goods by some local officials and employees.

“Dili makatarunganon nga atong pasidunggan ang tawo nga adunay tulubagon sa uban,” Shimura said.

On November 25, 2013 Shimura filed a resolution requesting the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to investigate the alleged irregularities in the distribution of goods in Daanbantayan where he was once mayor.

Shimura, of the National Unity Party, alleged that those who were not allied with the municipal officials led by Corro of the Liberal Party were not given relief goods.

On December 9, 2013 majority of the PB members voted for the withdrawal of Shimura’s resolution and instead passed a resolution sponsored by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale commending Corro, their ally in LP.

Magpale explained that with the perusal of the subject complaint of Shimura, records show that “the relief operations effort was done in the most appropriate, equitable, prudent and efficient manner.”

However, last week, ten of the town’s 20 barangay captains and some private individuals filed administrative and criminal charges against Corro and three other municipal officials before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Led by Association of Barangay Councils President Rex Novabos of Barangay Logon in Malapascua Island, the barangay captains alleged that after super typhoon Yolanda struck last November 8, Corro has never been fair and transparent in the distribution of relief goods from the national government, which drew a lot of complaints from their respective constituents.

Following the filing of the complaints, Shimura appealed to his colleagues to wait until the anti-graft office is done with its investigation.

“My beloved comrades, this humble representation most respectfully request that the Honorable Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cebu will withdraw its Resolution commending Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro pending investigation at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas,” Shimura said.

Citing its house rules, PB Member Jude Thaddeus Sybico pointed out that approved resolutions can no longer be withdrawn.

This prompted Shimura to appeal to donors to give directly to barangays in northern Cebu, particularly in Daanbantayan, and not  through the municipal officials.

The barangay captains claimed that aid from the national government, like tarpaulins, basic relief goods, and galvanized iron sheets, were not given to them by the office of the mayor, most likely because they are known allies of previous mayor Ma. Luisa Loot, the mother of Shimura.  (FREEMAN)