Bantajay Surigao (2024)

06/06/2023

EX--GOV. LALO, KINASUHAN!

06/06/2023

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 6) — Former Surigao del Norte governor Francisco Matugas is facing a plunder complaint over the alleged misuse of the province’s disaster funds worth at least ₱50 million.

Oscar Pospia Jr., a resident of Surigao del Norte and head of the provincial environment department, filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Pospia is also chief of staff of incumbent governor Robert Barbers.

He accused Matugas of plunder, technical malversation, graft, and violating the procurement act when the former governor authorized the use of disaster funds to purchase children’s story books.

The disaster funds were intended for victims affected by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021

“Habang naghihirap ang mga kababayan namin sa Surigao, hirap sa pagkain, wasak mga bahay nila, nalaman namin na may pondo pala ang probinsya na higit ₱50 million,” Pospia told reporters after filing the complaint on Tuesday.

“Instead gamitin sa rehabilitation ng aming probinsya, lalong-lalo sa government infrastructure, mga paaralan at relief or pagkain, yung pondo ay pinangbili ng children's books na hindi kailangan noong panahong iyon kasi wala naman face-to-face na klase,” he added.

[Translation: While our countrymen in Surigao were suffering, lacking food, their houses destroyed, we found out that the province has a fund of more than ₱50 million. Instead of using the funds to rehabilitate our province, especially government infrastructure and schools, and to distribute relief or food, the funds were used to buy children’s books that were not needed that time since there were no face-to-face classes.]

Other former Surigao del Norte provincial officers were named as co-respondents, including provincial accountant Myrla Padayhag, schools division superintendent Teresa Real, and members of the Bids and Awards Committee of Department of Education Surigao del Norte Division.

“There was no approval or consent from the PDRRC (provincial disaster risk reduction council), nor was there a revised plan for realignment submitted to the budget office,” the complaint read.

Asked why he filed the complaint only recently, Pospia said it took a while to gather documentary evidence needed for the complaint.

“Hindi naman po basta-basta kelangan kuhanin mga records [We can't just retrieve the records],” Pospia explained.

Matugas, meanwhile, told CNN Philippines that he has yet to get a copy of the complaint.

“I’m sorry I can't give you my side [because] this is the first time I heard that there’s a complaint against me,” he said.

06/05/2022

Nagpagawas na nan sample ballot ang Iglesia Ni Cristo sanan kapansin-pansin na waya si Bingo Matugas sa listahan. Matud pa sa mga insider sa INC, nagdesisyon ang kapatiran na dili iendorso si Bingo tungod sa patong-patong na isyu nan kurapsiyon, Pagpan-ipit sanan pagpangilog nan lupa.

Pati mga INC members gi-ilogan sab nan lupa ni Bingo.

30/04/2022

Simay nakwartahan tungod sa tubo sa gas samtang nagpabilin na malisuron ang kahamkan nga mga Siargaonon?

29/04/2022

Kaway-kaway sa mga gipangtangtang sa scholarships tungod ra nag-heart sa FB post nan pikas partido.

Note: Gikan sa buwis nan katawhan ang kwarta para sa scholarships.

27/04/2022

🤭

27/04/2022

Uman Grabe man kamahal an gasolina sa Siargao?

Atangi…

Bantajay Surigao

06/06/2023

06/06/2023

06/05/2022

30/04/2022

29/04/2022

27/04/2022

27/04/2022

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