Re-electionist Mayor Edwin Santiago denied reports of anomalies and irregularities in the city’s fiscal management, particularly in the utilization of Real Property Taxes as alleged by his rival candidate.
During the Balitaan media forum of Capampangan in Media Inc., Santiago said that the conferment of various awards in his administration are proof of the city’s above-board disbursement of funds.
“We pass the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) every year and COA says that the city will not qualify for it (award) should there even be one Notice of Disallowance,” Santiago said.
The City of San Fernando was conferred SGLG Award for 2018, along with Mabalacat City. “It is only the Ombudsman which can determine alleged irregularities or anomalies in the government,” he added.
He said that COA, the Ombudsman and DILG are the only authorities that can issue statements whether a government office has entered into anomalous transactions.
“Ala yang karapatan na sumabing atin kasu I Madam Vilma,” he added. He said he calls her madam since she is “no longer an ordinary citizen but a member of the City Council.”
On allegations on the distribution of RPT, Santiago said that Caluag, being a member of the City Council, should have summoned the City Assesor or City Treasurer in aid of legislation and not go to other forums.
“Or she could have gone directly to me,” he said. Santiago said that he wished that Caluag was more cautious in issuing statements about anomalies in utilization of city’s funds as she is part of the local government of CSF.
Santiago was reacting to allegations made by Councilor Vilma Caluag when she guested in the same media forum. She is also running for mayor of CSF.
In that forum, Caluag questioned the distribution of RPT, the payment of premiums for health coverages of city government employees, and financial assistance to indigent residents of the premier city.