House to investigate complaint vs Negros Occidental mayor

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By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY—Abang Lingkod Partylist Representative Stephen Paduano announced that the House Committee on Public Accounts is set to investigate the complaint against Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego before the end of this year.

Paduano, who chairs the committee, told reporters Monday during the Lakas-CMD convention here that the hearing will be conducted during the congressional recess or as soon as the session resumes in the first week of November.

The complaint that reached Paduano’s office alleges that the Silay City government, under Mayor Gallego, has approved local measures tainted with discrepancies, irregularities, and evident partiality.

Mayor Gallego will be invited as a resource person in the hearing, Paduano said, stressing that Gallego should follow House rules or risk being cited for contempt.

Paduano dismissed claims of political harassment, saying that such accusations are a flimsy excuse used by mayors under investigation, including Gallego.

“This case is not between me and Mayor Joedith. It is between him and the complainants; he should face it and explain,” Paduano said.

“If he doesn’t slow down, it will be the first time that, as chairman, I will cite a mayor for contempt, and he will be incarcerated,” Paduano warned.

Earlier, Paduano raised concerns over Gallego’s actions, particularly regarding the alleged misuse of public funds.

He noted that if these issues are not exposed, they could result in undue burden and irreparable harm to the people of Silay City.

According to Paduano, the Silay City government, under Mayor Gallego’s leadership, entered into a loan agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to finance a mega-infrastructure project amounting to PHP 1.4 billion.

The project includes PHP 300 million for the repair and rehabilitation of the Silay City Public Market, PHP 300 million for the construction of a city college, PHP 300 million for a city coliseum, and PHP 500 million for a new city hall or government center.

However, Mayor Gallego justified the infrastructure project, stating that it would significantly benefit Silay City, which he described as “far behind” other local government units in terms of development.

As the city government commenced the project through the enactment of Appropriation Ordinance No. 1 on March 15, 2023, which includes the PHP 300 million market renovation, Paduano claimed he received complaints from vendors who argued that the local measure did not comply with pertinent rules and established city ordinances.

Mayor Gallego has labeled the actions of Paduano as political harassment, stating that he is ready to face the charges against him in the proper forum.