• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego yesterday cried “political harassment” as he dismissed as baseless the claims of Negros Occidental Third District caretaker, Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduano, of alleged irregularities in the implementation of big infrastructure projects in the city.
“Those are mere allegations and not backed by evidence,” Gallego said.
Paduano earlier said that the House committee on public accounts, which he chairs, will investigate the alleged anomalies in the procurement and irregular enactment of local measures by the Silay City government.
In his recent privilege speech at the House of Representatives, Paduano said that it has come to his attention that the Silay City government approved local measures that are allegedly laden with discrepancies, irregularities, and evident partiality.
“These acts are particularly concerning, as it involved misuse of public funds that, if not exposed, would cause undue burden and irreparable injury to the constituents of Silay City,” the lawmaker added.
These include the repair, rehabilitation and renovation of the city public market with a budget of P300 million and the construction of the P500 million new City Hall.
Gallego maintained that everything was complied with, and the procedures have been followed, as mandated by law.
“It’s trial by publicity and a demolition job because elections are near,” the mayor said.
Of the P1.1 billion in loans secured by his administration, Gallego said that P500 million will be used in the construction of the new City Hall, which was proposed to be budgeted by P1 billion, in the previous administration.
Also, P300 million each will fund the construction of the Silay public market and city college.
The mayor said that the three infrastructure projects have different contractors, contrary to claims.
Gallego, who will seek a second term in the May 2025 elections, said he is ready anytime to face any inquiry.
He is expected to be challenged by former mayor Mark Golez, a known ally of Paduano.
Golez and Gallego are both members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, a political party of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. | GB
