Cebu City scholarship mess: Graduates could testify for me - Bebot

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City South District Representative Rodrigo Abellanosa yesterday said hundreds of Asian College of Technology and/or Asian College of Technology International Educational Foundation Incorporated graduates are willing to testify that the scholarship they received from the city government helped them finish school.

This, he said, is "contrary to the ombudsman's accusation that it is prejudicial to the government and detrimental to public interest."

"If needed, hundreds of parents and graduates are ready to testify as to how the participation of ACTIEF among more than 20 colle-ges and universities in the city scholarship program has helped them in completing their studies," Abellanosa said in a text message to The FREEMAN.

The Office of the Ombudsman has filed a graft case against him before the Sandiganbayan over the city's transaction amounting to over P51 million for the city's scholarship program.

The case stemmed from Abellanosa signing the memorandum of agreement with the city as trustee-president of ACT and/or ACTIEF, for the scholarship program on June 24, 2010 when he was still city councilor. He also participated in the accreditation of schools, which included ACT and/or ACTIEF, where city scholars could enroll in.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved the charge sheet against Abe-llanosa last September 29.

Abellanosa said his legal team has been expecting the case months ago yet after he was notified that his motion for reconsideration on the first decision of the Ombudsman dismissing him from service last year was denied last June 7, 2016.

It was in 2014 when the Ombudsman ordered Abe-llanosa dismissed from service after finding him guilty of grave misconduct for conflict of interest in the city's scholarship program.

The order came after Philip Banguiran, a former City Hall employee, sued Abellanosa for violation of Section 3(i) of Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

The anti-graft body also ordered the cancellation of his eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in government service.

"We are even wondering why it took the Ombudsman this long to give me the opportunity to clear my name of malicious accusations in the proper court. It is a great relief for me to be finally given this chance to defend myself in the proper forum," he said.

Abellanosa said he is leaving to his lawyers the filing of petitions and motions on the case the Ombudsman filed before the Sandiganbayan.

Under the city's scholarship program, each scholar is given P10,000 per semester for tuition and other expenses and P1,000 monthly allowance.

Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said the Ombudsman decision will not affect the implementation of the city's scholarship program.

He recalled that he had warned Abellanosa, when both of them were city councilors, about possible conflict of interest over what he did. (FREEMAN)