The Palace of Thieves

Hole of Justice

by Peter G. Jimenea

The Palace of Thieves!

I see no difference between the role of Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia and our former mayor down to the incumbent mayor of Iloilo City except, that the latter were waylaid by temptation of greed in their frantic march to build a kingdom of their own.

Mayor Leonardia has constructed his turf in Bacolod City under the graceful smiles of constituents while the still undergoing construction of the Iloilo City Hall building that proudly represents the City of Love (kuno) had been bombarded with public contempt due to corruption.

For nine (9) long years from 2001 to 2009, Iloilo was under the stewardship of the most studious mayor (now Cong. Jerry Trenas). Yet, under him we only earned our bad mark in Philippine history as the only highly urbanized city without a city hall.

While Negrenses are walking tall in Manila, the Ilonggos are hiding their faces while praying at Quiapo Church in shame. Why? Instead of a city hall, our local government employees are holding offices at a city mall – the Robinsons Place!

On May 9, 2007, a City Council Resolution No. 2007-497 under presiding officer Vice Mayor Guillermo de la Llana was passed granting full authority to Mayor Trenas to transact P350M loan for construction of a city hall building.

On that day another Resolution No. 2007-498 was passed authorizing him to enter into a MOA in behalf of the city and the Deed of Assignment with the LBP. But it was on September 12, 2007 when Resolution 2007-1042 under Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog was passed to complete the deal.

It authorized Mayor Trenas to sign and execute the loan agreement and Deed of Assignment covering the P350M loan.  After which, Trenas repeatedly sounded his pomposity that P350M loan will complete the construction of the city hall building.

But on September 2, 2009, a new loan anomaly was discovered. A P105M was acquired without the corresponding authority from the city council. It was only a recommendation for an additional loan of P105M for the city hall construction.

There was no council ruling, however, authorizing Mayor Trenas to borrow the amount. He only relied on the recommendation of the City Council under Res. No. 2009-1244. Jurisprudence dictates, simplex commendatio non obligor – a mere recommendation is not binding. A studious lawyer that he is would have known about this!

As a result, the new price of the city hall rose to P455 million when experts comprised of Ilonggo architects and engineers claim P350M is enough to complete the eight storey city hall building. Upgrading is where volume of corruption comes in. Yet, Mayor Jed Mabilog applied for a new loan of P260M for another upgrading (kuno) making the total city hall cost to P710 million.

To recall, in July 2011, barely a month after assuming his post, Mayor, Mabilog approved the Revision of Plans for the City Hall which involved at least 30 items. First is the removal of the in-house parking space which violates the National Building Code.

Four (4) bright boys of the city council concurred with Mabilog’s initiated changes and gave the City Hall an exemption from the National building Code. They are Councilors Joshua Alim, Rodel Agado, Lyndon Acap and Edward Yee, owner of the controversial Barbecue Park at the Iloilo River bank. The public must know as this is not a cheap shot!

The Negrenses should also know that the drawing of that Iloilo City Hall building by an architect for free was reported to have been paid by Cong. Trenas with P12M prior he stepped down as mayor. My God, what an expensive drawing and I’m sure Mayor Bing subscribes to this!

This is not what we think the business of a chief local executive is all about. If they have that temerity to claim what rightfully belonged to others, who are they? Thieves, they can only be. Lowly employees are most sorely tempted to steal but don’t. What a shame and as to contrition for the misdeed apology not accepted!

What is somewhat missing in the empty lives of public officials doing this injustice to the taxpayers’ money is to die with dignity. This list of anomaly is now a scroll that forms the basis of their blasphemy. Perhaps, the most logical title for this city hall is el palacio de los ladrones or …… see the title!