Imee hits Fariñas over remark on tobacco funds

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos accused Ilocos Norte Second District Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas of politicking when he claimed she had misused P66.5 million in tobacco funds.

During the recent public hearing of the House good government committee on the alleged tobacco funds anomaly, the House majority leader said Marcos authorized the purchase of 115 assorted motor vehicles in 2011 and 2012 without public bidding.

“She was both the requesting officer and the approving officer. The huge amount was released in three tranches to two disbursing officers in the form of cash advances. A major purchase through a cash advance is a violation of the procurement law and the auditing code,” Fariñas had pointed out.

Resolution 882 authored by Fariñas and Pampanga Reps. Juan Pablo Bondoc and Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of the House committee on good government and public accountability paved the way for the inquiry.

But lawyer Joseph Cadiz, legal counsel of Marcos, condemned Fariñas, saying “this is premature politicking. These are irresponsible conclusions.”

Cadiz said the accusations are irresponsible.

Fariñas was a long-time political ally and personal friend of Marcos’ brother former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but ties broke down when the Marcoses fled the country in 1986.

Both political families are now political allies of President Duterte.

Fariñas, Bondoc and Gonzales claimed that the tobacco excise tax law mandates that the funds could be used for livelihood, development and infrastructure projects that would benefit tobacco farmers and promote the growth of the industry and that purchases of motor vehicles are not among the authorized uses of the funds.

According to the three lawmakers, the first cash advance of P18.6 million was made on Dec. 1, 2011 for the purchase of 40 units of mini-cab to be distributed to different barangays in Ilocos Norte.

The second, for P15.3 million, was made on May 25, 2012 for the acquisition of five second-hand buses while the third, for P32.55 million, was made on Sept. 12, 2012 for the procurement of 70 units of Foton mini-trucks.