OP directs Sonny O to answer complaint

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the President (OP) has directed suspended Toledo City Mayor John Henry R. Osmeña to answer the complaint for allegedly entering into an agreement without the authority of the City Council.

Osmeña, who is Toledo City’s mayor since 2013, is now serving a one-year suspension and a separate administrative offense for allegedly violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The OP has given Osmeña 15 days to submit his answer to the allegations filed against him last February 21, 2018 by Elmer Honoridez Canillo of Barangay Dumlog, Toledo City.

Canillo, in his complaint, alleged that Osmeña entered into a purchase agreement with CEBU III Electric Cooperative, Inc. for P18,065,000 on April 6, 2017 without prior authority from the council.

The move allegedly violates Sec. 2 of R.A. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 which stipulates that no contract may be entered into by the local chief executive on behalf of the local government without prior authorization.

On April 11 of the same year, Osmeña allegedly again entered into an agreement with Rizalito Trocio Mendrez for P29,293,500 and another deal with the heirs of Condrado Libre and Lucia Libre for P8,910,000, all of which were done without prior authority from the council.

Canillo also stated that the appraisal value of the properties was never based on strict appraisal determination and wasn’t approved by the City Council.

The complainant added that the local chief executive’s authority to represent the local government unit in all its business transactions may only be upon the authority of the council.

Attached to his complaint were copies of the Deed of Absolute Sale, Obligation Request and Disbursement Voucher of the purchased. —/GA (FREEMAN)