Commission On Audit Filed A Notice Of Disallowances Against Some Manila Officials

Just last October 29, 2009, the Commission on Audit filed a two-page notice of disallowance against some of the officials and members of the local government of the city of Manila. The notice was filed following the noted deficiencies on the claims for the payment of consultancy fees of purportedly 21 consultants who were contracted to work for the office of the Mayor. The said vouchers did not complement the audit prepared by Domingo C. Bocalan Jr., State Auditor IV and that the vouchers were void because the 21 consultants listed in the payroll were inexistent. The illegal transaction was said to have cost the city the amount of P5,058,000.00.

The said notice of disallowance was released after Mayor Alfredo Lim stated in his affidavit, the he never authorized nor appointed Nelson Del Mundo and the rest of the supposed 21 consultants to work in his office. As a follow up, Lim also noted that he did not sign any contract for the said services nor did he allowed the fictitious consultants to receive any consultation fees or compensations. The Mayor's statement was backed up by three officers assigned at the city Mayor's office. The three office staff who supported the mayor's statement were Rowena Senatin, Helen Natividad and Arturo Mijares.

According to the officials, the names of the consultants that appeared in the payrolls that was submitted to them by some of the members of the accounting and property division of the city of Manila were not included in the list of consultants that were employed by the mayor. The three also confirmed that the consultants were fictitious. This government anomaly is a clear manifestation of the ongoing corrupt practices in the local government of Manila. Nonetheless, like any other forms of illegal activities, the transaction was done in order to benefit the people involved.

The anomalous transaction was carried out and consented by 11 officials from the accounting and property division of the local government of Manila. The named officials were Pacifico Lagramada, Yolanda Ignacio, Marleen Young, Gloria Quilantang, Vicky Valientes, Erlinda Marteja, Philip Cabalun II, Cherry Chan, Alicia Moscaya, Fritz Noel Borres, and Rodelio Leyson. The said officials consented the release of P5,058,000.00 as a payment to the non-existent consultants for their supposed services to the mayor's office. Mayor Alfredo Lim and the affidavit of his staffs attested the involvement of the said personnel.

Bocolan recommended in the notice of disallowance that the identified perpetrators from the accounting and property division of the city of Manila to refund the full amount of P5,058,000.00. The given amount was the supposed payment for the 21 consultants, who purportedly worked for the office of the mayor. The notice given by the Commission of Audit was final, giving the involved officials six months to settle the issue. Accordingly, if the said individuals were not able to comply, the commission would take the necessary steps in order to enforce the notice.

Although Mayor Alfredo Lim, in his affidavit, served as the way to expose this particular corrupt activity, it appears that something in this picture does not coordinate. Considering that all the local projects of Manila are needed to be approved by the mayor, what remains questionable in this instance is the fact that the release of payments was still done in spite of Lim claiming that he did not gave his authority for the said project. While there may have been people held liable for this transaction, the above question is a simple inquiry to further shed light on how the transaction was carried out. This side of the story is something that needs to be clarified to the public.

Some officials from the city of Manila were involved in yet another government anomaly. The Commission on Audit filed a notice of disallowance against 11 Manila officials after deficiencies on the vouchers were found during the auditing process. The voucher contained the alleged consultancy fees of 21 fictitious consultants, who purportedly contracted to work for the office of the Mayor. Mayor Alfredo Lim claimed that he did not sign any contract concerning the appointment of the said consultants.

Reynaldo Bagatsing Files Graft And Corruption Charges Against Mayor Alfredo Lim And Allies

Graft and corruption charges were filed against Mayor Alfredo Lim last April 8, 2010 before the Office of the Ombudsman. Lim allegedly conspired with other Manila officials to a non-existent affair and falsified receipts, which is said to have cost the city of Manila P221, 250.00. Reynaldo L. Bagatsing, Lim's former legal adviser, was the one who filed the lawsuit. The complainant, in his affidavit, called forth for the Ombudsman to administer preventive suspension against the involved perpetrators.

Bagatsing also included seven other officials in the said anomaly. The seven officials include Atty. Rafaelito M. Garayblas, Atty. Analyn T. Marcelo-Buan, Maria Lourdes R. Malulu, Cherry Chao, Cecilia V. Sican, Leanie S. Sanding, and Vicky R. Valientes. Accordingly, in his sworn statement, Bagatsing pointed out that Lim and the said officials' falsified the receipts issued by Angel's Burger House. It was also indicated that, the officials made it appear that Manila Barangay Bureau simultaneously spearheaded on August 27, 2009 an activity called Barangay Peace Keeping Action Team""an affair which was supposedly participated by all the barangays in Manila, which according to the complainant was a non-existent affair.

In what appears to be another Manila government anomaly, Lim's former legal counsel described in detail how the illegal activity took place. Specifically, it was claimed that the officials noted in the accompanying reimbursement voucher that the participants of the non-existent assembly consumed 5,500 pieces of cheeseburgers. What made Bagatsing suspicious of the said transaction was the idea that small burger joints like Angel's is not capable of producing 5,500 cheeseburgers in a day because it would normally take a small burger house 15 days to complete such order. To make matters worse based from the inspection report filed on October 19, 2009, which was certified by Cecilia V. Sican, Inspector of the City General Services Office (CGSO), the original receipt numbers provided by the burger joint were 0066 and 0067, a far cry from the receipts and reimbursement voucher handed by the perpetrators to the city treasurer of Manila which were 0214 and 0215.

Due to the forged documents presented by the officials to the city treasurer of Manila during the reimbursement process, they were able to obtain P221, 250.00. Hence, it is apparent that the involved Manila officials committed malversation and falsification or articles 217 and 171 of the revised penal code respectively. This Manila government anomaly well exemplified that such release of government funds for liquidation associated with the alleged city wide Barangay Peace Keeping Action Team did not conduct the required bidding, proving that the officials failed to adhere to Section 367 of Republic Act No. 7160 (R.A. 7160), otherwise referred to as the local government code of 1991. It should be noted that the P221, 250.00 worth of reimbursement in this transaction exceeded the required amount stated under Section 367 of R.A. 7160, which particularly identified that the procurement of supplies should not exceed the amount of P 150, 000.00 for any items within a month for each of local unit, may it be first or second class cities within the Manila area.

The former legal counsel of Alfredo Lim brought him into charges as he was represented in the said transaction by his secretary Rafaelito Garayblas. Because Garayblas certified the false and manufactured documents, it is believed that Lim, consented the illegal transaction. Although Lim may not have directly signed in this anomalous activity, the mere fact that his secretary has authorized the existence of this corrupt practice with his knowledge makes him liable as well. Nonetheless, considering that Garayblas directly report to Lim, it is apparent that the Mayor condoned such transaction.

As election is already near, no person running for office would want their names to be involved in an unscrupulous activity. Mayor Alfredo Lim consistently won the trust of the publicly, which is why he is still in the office to date. Yet, with the ongoing issues of illegal activities under his belt could negatively affect the trust that the public gave him. It is therefore an imperative for these officials to clarify this issue so as not to tarnish the reputations that they have taken care off for a long time.

Mayor Alfredo Lim, together with seven other Manila officials, was allegedly involved in another Manila government anomaly that is centered on the falsification and malversation of documents. Lim's former legal counsel, Reynaldo Bagatsing filed the lawsuit before the Ombudsman after he was able to secure evidences to support his claim about the involvement of the said officials and Angel's Burger House.

Does Mayor Alfredo Lim Deserves To Be A Hero In EDSA 1?

Alfredo Lim has been constantly getting accolades and admiration for the role he played during the famed EDSA 1.The mayor of Manila, who is running for reelection, has been stating false claims and wrong representation to solidify his image as a real EDSA 1 hero.Mayor Lim has enjoyed tremendous success in doing so as evident in the current status of his political career.However, as he successfully builds up his reputation, he also continues to misrepresent the facts.

Recorded events of old Manila watch will enlighten us with the truth about Alfredo Lim.The mayor of Manila has been furnishing his image for cheap politics at the expense of another great unknown EDSA hero in Col. Jose H. Dawis. Dawis served as the Chief of Police of Quezon City during EDSA 1 under the leadership of the then General Lim. Dawis knew very well how the former general acted during the height of EDSA1. However, his account of Lim's participation in EDSA1 is yet to be told and is often misrepresented.

Colonel Dawis witnessed how General Lim acted like a coward during the height of demonstrations and protests. As Commanding General, Lim was not bold enough to face the angry demonstrators and was cowardly hiding in small Antique shop in P. Tuazon the whole time laden with fear. He was very hesitant and fearful that he passed on the burden of controlling the crowd in EDSA to his personnel.Dawis recalled that it was General Lim who ordered him to disperse the crowd in EDSA at all cost upon the order of order of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Colonel Dawis during that time only had a handful of 100 people under his command when he was ordered by General Lim to disperse the crowd of more than 100,000 in EDSA. To make Colonel Dawis' job more manageable, General Lim has promised him with additional 500 military men to help him in the dispersion of the crowd in EDSA. But Colonel Dawis was defiant. The brave Colonel stood on his principles and vehemently told Gen. Lim that he will not disperse the crowd who were just expressing their grievances peacefully.

The insubordination of Colonel Dawis has made General Lim enraged and fuming.He was completely mad with how Colonel Dawis responded and defied his orders. As a response, General Lim started to berate Colonel Dawis who remained unfazed. Colonel Dawis followed his principles and defied the orders of his superior officer despite the threats of losing his job.

Former Senator Butch Aquino can attest to this claim since he and Colonel Dawis had developed a very good relationship. Colonel Dawis was very compassionate and accommodating to the opposition leaders and would allow them to protest peacefully in Quezon City.

This is a clear suggestion that the accolades and admiration that Alfredo Lim enjoys should be withdrawn from him.Lim should not be considered as one of the many real heroes of EDSA1 for the fact that he was never one. Lim is confusing the public into believing his false claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero. Colonel Dawis is the real EDSA1 hero and should be given with the necessary accolades and recognition, and not the person who desperately tries to build his self a reputation using nothing but lies.

Alfredo Lim has been erroneously receiving accolades and admiration for the role he played during the famed EDSA. The mayor of Manila, who is seeking reelection, has been making frivolous claims and false representation to bolster his image as a real EDSA one hero. On the contrary, Lim is using his frivolous claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero, Colonel Dawis.

Alfredo Lim: The Truth Behind EDSA1

Alfredo Lim has been erroneously receiving accolades and admiration for the role he played during the famed EDSA 1. The mayor of Manila, who is running for reelection, has been stating false claims and wrong representation to solidify his image as a real EDSA 1 hero.Mayor Lim has in many ways succeeded in doing so as evident in the current status of his political career. However, as he continues to be successful in building up his reputation, he is also consistently making continuous misrepresentation of the facts.

Recorded events of old Manila watch will tell us exactly the opposite of what Alfredo Lim has been telling us. The mayor of Manila has been building up his image for political purposes at the expense of another great unknown EDSA hero in Col. Jose H. Dawis.Dawis served as the Chief of Police of Quezon City during EDSA 1 under the leadership of the then General Lim. Dawis is witness to how the former general acted during the height of EDSA1. However, his account of Lim's participation in EDSA1 is yet to be told and is often misrepresented.

Colonel Dawis knows how General Lim behaved like a coward during the height of demonstrations and protests. As Commanding General, Lim was not brave enough to confront the angry demonstrators and was cowardly hiding in small Antique shop in P. Tuazon the whole time laden with fear. He was so reluctant and afraid that he passed on the burden of controlling the crowd in EDSA to his personnel. Dawis recalled that it was General Lim who ordered him to disperse the crowd in EDSA at all cost upon the order of order of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Colonel Dawis at that time only had a handful of 100 people under him when he was ordered by General Lim to disperse the crowd of more than 100,000 in EDSA. To help Colonel Dawis, General Lim has promised him with additional 500 military men to help him in the dispersion of the crowd in EDSA. But Colonel Dawis was disobedient.The brave Colonel defied Gen. Lim's orders and told him that he will not disperse the crowd who were just expressing their grievances peacefully.

The defiance of Colonel Dawis has made General Lim irate and angry. He was completely furious with how Colonel Dawis responded and disobeyed his orders. As a response, General Lim started to speak angrily to Colonel Dawis who remained unfazed.Colonel Dawis remained with his principles and defied the orders of his superior officer despite the threats of losing his job.

Former Senator Butch Aquino can prove this claim since he and Colonel Dawis had developed a very good relationship.Colonel Dawis was very considerate and warm to the opposition leaders and would allow them to protest peacefully in Quezon City.

This is a clear suggestion that the accolades and admiration that Alfredo Lim enjoys should be withdrawn from him.Lim should not be bestowed with the recognition as one of the many real heroes of EDSA1 for the fact that he was never one.Lim is confusing the public into believing his false claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero. Colonel Dawis is the real EDSA1 hero and should be endowed with the necessary accolades and recognition, and not the person who desperately tries to build his self a reputation using nothing but lies.

The mayor of Manila, who is seeking reelection, has been making frivolous claims and false representation to bolster his image as a real EDSA one hero. Mayor Alfredo Lim has been erroneously receiving accolades and admiration and has in many ways succeeded in doing so as evident in the current status of his political career. On the contrary, Lim is using his frivolous claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero, Colonel Dawis.

-Julius Arante

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim Is Charged With Graft For Sale Of Century Park Hotel

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno is facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for playing a major role in the fraudulent bidding and sale of the Century Park Hotel at a bargain price of P 1 Billion. Lim and Moreno alongside 20 councilors, four other city officials and four John Does are the people involved in a 26-page complaint filed by former legal adviser of Lim and close friend Atty. Reynaldo L. Bagatsing. The complaint is pushing for the immediate nullification of the said anomalous transaction and the appropriate punishment for the perpetrators involved.

Bagatsing has pointed out that the transaction is manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the City of Manila as the city is set to lose almost P2 billion. The five-star Century Park Hotel is currently located on a 4.5 hectare prime property which could have earned the city government with at least P3 billion in sales. Instead, the city government has given the right to the prime property at a bargain price of P1billion, a far cry from what should have been its original price. It was claimed by Bagatsing that Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno used their authority to make sure that the transaction will take place for the benefit of the mayor's ally in Lucio Tan.

The documents obtained by Bagatsing from the City Assessor's Office clearly shows that the land occupied by the hotel was mysteriously reduced to an area of 22, 967 square meters and worth P 965,261,850 or almost P1 billion. The price of which the land was sold does not actually reflect the current zonal valuation of the land as directed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. In reference to the BIR's valuation, the current value and selling price of prime properties in the Malate-Ermita district ranges from P 50,000 to P 80,000 per square meter. Using the current valuation, the land should have been purchased for around P3 billion.

The right to the land was awarded to the winning bidder Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation, the owner of Century Park Hotel.The corporation is publicly listed and a widely known property of business tycoon Lucio Tan, a known ally of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. In 2003, Tan's firm gained the rights to operate the hotel in 2003 from Tourist Trade and Travel Corporation of the Martel family. Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation, the current hotel's operator, made a P1billion bid and was later awarded with the right to the land. It is believed that Lim may have played a hand in the said anomalous transaction due to his closeness to Tan.

It was claimed that the city council composed of 20 councilors have granted Lim with the authority to negotiate the sale of the hotel through City Council Resolution No. 176 adopted on August 5, 2008. The city council was also the one who affirmed and ratified the award and sale to Tan's firm through Resolution No. 278 approved on December 23, 2008. The said transaction also took place in complete rush, in only a span of five months after Lim was granted authority to negotiate the sale.To make sure that the anomalous transactions will not be uncovered, the Committee on Bid and Award issued and published erratic and false notice of auction in the in the Philippine Star.

All the evidences gathered and collected clearly show that there had been an attempt to reduce the price tag for the said property which clearly makes this transaction a sweetheart deal. The deal has benefited an ally of Mayor Lim and clearly betrays the city's taxpayers and residents.The involvement of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim in this fraudulent transaction is a clear indication of abuse of authority and power, and a clear betrayal of the public's interest. The Ombudsman on its part must look carefully in this case and bring all the people involved to justice.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno are facing graft charges before the Office of the Ombudsman for their alleged involvement in the fraudulent bidding and sale of the Century Park Hotel at a bargain price of P 1billion. The involvement of the Mayor of Manila in the said anomalous transaction is a clear indication of abuse of authority and power, and a clear betrayal of the public's interest.

-Julius Arante