City open to legitimate probe anytime – mayor

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the city government is open to any legitimate investigation on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have nothing to hide.” the mayor said in reaction to an online petition posted on change.org page urging President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to investigate city officials on the utilization of funds used in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019.

The petition posted by a group called Bacolod Exposed is asking for the liquidation of all expenses of the city.

“We cannot tolerate the lawlessness of our city officials, especially our mayor. We firmly believe there is something wrong with the usage of the budget given for the pandemic and false presentation of the numbers of positive cases,” the petition stated.

Leonardia said he believes the petition is “politically-motivated” but he said they are ready to be investigated by the Commission On Audit or the Department of Interior and Local Government.

He also urged the public not to be misled or deceived by people behind the concerted efforts to discredit his administration.

Leonardia also asked his political detractors to allow them to focus on their fight against COVID-19.

“There will be a time for politics, but they should set that aside for now. If these people want to play politics, they should not do it now. They should focus fighting COVID-19 and politics should come later,” he said.