[ manilastandardtoday.com ] January 17-18, 2009
By Ferdinand Fabella
San Lorenzo chairman Joshua John Santiago, of Makati City’s upscale district, has been suspended over the alleged illegal release of P427 million in barangay funds.
The city council said there were indications of dishonesty and misconduct in office.
“Based on the allegations of the complaint, together with the pleadings and the documents submitted, the evidence of guilt is strong,” stated Resolution 2009-004 approved on Wednesday.
The complaint was filed by barangay council members Ernesto Moya, Guia Laguio-Flaminiano, Brigido Sibug and Norman Golez.
Santiago is being asked to explain the missing P378 million in barangay funds and the questionable purchase of lampposts worth P43 million.
Also alleged as irregular were the release of P5.79 million to pay for the construction of a waiting shed and P300,000 as donation to the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines, which was never received by the organization.
Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay issued yesterday afternoon an order grounding Santiago.
“Respondent Santiago is strictly enjoined to cease and desist from performing his duties and function as Punong Barangay for the duration of his preventive suspension,” said the order.
In disproving the charges, Santiago presented to the council copies of audited financial reports of the Commission on Audit for 2005 to 2007 and the City Accounting Financial Reports for San Lorenzo during the same period.
He said the purchase of 1,200 pieces of lampposts for P43.9 million was covered by Resolution 141 in 2006 which the barangay council approved.
