How JVR uses intel fund faces legal question

CEBU, Philippines – Talisay City Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante and some members of the council are highly suspicious of the intelligence fund of Mayor Johnny De los Reyes following his admission that he uses it for whoever comes to his house after work hours to ask for help.

”Is it legal sa iyang gipangangkon karon nga ang iyang intelligence fund gipanghatag sa mga tawo nga moduol niya aron dili makahimo og krimen?” Villarante said, as he questioned the legality in the use of the mayor’s intelligence fund.

Villarante, who is a lawyer by profession and a former ally of the mayor, said he will be raising the issue before the Commission on Audit-Central Office, citing that the mayor violates certain rules in the use of intelligence fund.

“While the mayor have wide latitude in the use of intelligence funds, there are rules that have to be followed, otherwise, it can be criminal malversation or technical malversation, as the case may be,” the vice mayor said.

Earlier, De los Reyes said, “Ang tawo kung maipit na gani sa problema, manulis na sila, makahimo na sila og krimen. Mao nga moadto sa among balay kay mangayo og tabang. Akong hatagan gikan na sa akong IF (intelligence fund). Tan-awa ninyo nga nimenos ang krimen sa syudad. Ang akong IF gihatag na nako sa mga pobre.”

For this year, the council cut down the mayor’s intelligence fund from P10 million to P100,000.

Councilors Edward Alesna and Antonio Bacaltos said the slashing of the mayor’s intelligence fund was already justifiable.

They said the mayor draws cash advance from the fund, and that it is now his sole responsibility to settle it with the COA-Central Office. The councilors wondered whether it is legal to give part of the fund to practically anyone who approaches the mayor.