Suspended mayor refutes project implementation claims

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By Felipe V Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Suspended Mayor Receliste Escolin of Pres. Roxas, Capiz, has strongly refuted allegations made by Acting Mayor Braulio Godfrey Asis concerning the execution of barangay projects funded by the 20% Development Fund (DF).

During a radio interview on April 3, Escolin responded to Asis’ recent media statements, asserting that a mayor is not directly involved in barangay development projects.

“Asis doesn’t know what he is uttering from his mouth before speaking with the media,” Escolin remarked, addressing the misstatements.

Escolin highlighted the misinterpretation surrounding the utilization of the 20% DF, which requires municipal government funding for its activation, contrary to the claims of personal implementation.

Escolin, who faces a three-month suspension for simple misconduct issued by the Office of the Ombudsman, also communicated his intent to revert the public plaza’s color back to yellow upon his return to office on May 17, 2024, signifying development.

This decision comes after a disagreement over the plaza’s color scheme, which Asis had changed despite previous consensus.

Asis has overseen the plaza’s repainting in anticipation of the upcoming municipal and religious fiesta of President Roxas, scheduled from May 1 to 4, 2024, a move supported by many in the community for its aesthetic enhancement.