Bacolod execs defend government center project

BACOLOD CITY — Cases filed against city officials here in relation to the construction of a new government center are covered by the Aguinaldo Doctrine, said city legal officer Allan Zamora. Under the Aguinaldo Doctrine, the administrative case filed against a public official is considered dismissed when the official is reelected. "The administrative charges filed against the city officials have to do with acts committed before the May 2007 elections. Aside from the bare allegations cited in the omnibus motion, no reasons were cited why the administrative suspension being sought should be granted," Mr. Zamora said. Retired policeman Victor Eduardo has asked the Visayas Ombudsman to place Mayor Evelio Leonardia and other city officials under preventive suspension and stop the construction of the center. Mr. Eduardo, who has charged the officials for grave misconduct, filed two motions for preventive suspension against the mayor in December 2007 and March 2008. "The government center is projected to be finished by July 2008, thus, there is now an urgent need and compelling reason for a suspension order to hold the respondents answerable for the series of violations they have committed," Mr. Eduardo said, adding that about P8 million is taken from the city’s internal revenue allotment shares to finance the project. Mr. Zamora defended the project, saying all the actions taken were legal and proper procedures were followed. Mr. Leonardia, for his part, said the city government would be violating the agreement with the landowners who donated the lot for the project if construction is stopped. The agreement calls for the completion of the building in 30 months. Construction started in January 2007 and the building is targeted to be completed next month. "If this is not finished on time, [the lot] will revert back to the Gonzaga family," Mr. Leonardia said. He added that the city stands to lose about P600 million if this happens because they had taken out a P394-million loan from the Philippine National Bank to construct the building and the donated lot is worth about P200 million. — Chrysee G. Samillano, BusinessWorld