[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’P1,000 per diem, not bribe – Hervias ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO City – What bribe?
The P1,000 given to Liga ng mga Barangay – Iloilo City officials during a Board of Directors meeting on July 20 was their per diem and did not come from Panay Electric Company (PECO), Liga president Reyland Hervias clarified.
Several photos shared on Facebook showed the distribution of P1,000 – allegedly bribe money from PECO – to barangay captains during a Liga meeting.
“Actually mga … directors to,” explained Hervias, ex-officio Sangguniang Panlungsod member. “Good for two months na to [nga per diem] kay wala sila matagaan sa meeting namon sang last month.”
The P1,000 bills distributed to 12 Liga directors were taken from the association’s fund, not PECO, Hervias said.
“[Pero] gin-picture-an nila kag gin-post kundi kalaw-ay tan-awon. Ang ginpaguwa nila ginbayad kuno sang PECO,” he said.
PECO wanted the “Card Reading Ordinance” of Councilor Joshua Alim changed into “Smart Meter Reading Ordinance” or “Picture Ordinance.” The power distribution utility was believed to be lobbying with the councilors.
On his suggestion, PECO representatives attended the Liga Board meeting at the city council session hall to present their programs, Hervias said.
The Board meeting was the best venue to get in touch with Liga district presidents, who may channel the information to barangay captains in their areas, he said.
At the time, their main guest was City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, who discussed Iloilo City Charter Day activities, said Hervias. “Nag-insert lang ang PECO.”
While the Liga directors’ honoraria are “usually” distributed after Board meetings, the July 20 meeting was not the best time – considering the issues hounding PECO – Hervias admitted, adding that his staff was “at fault.”/PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
