Hole of Justice

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

They were wrong!

Many people say that during the incumbency of now Cong. Jerry Trenas, as city mayor, for nine years he has no visible project whatsoever that his constituents can be proud of him and to claim worth crowing about.

I think they were wrong. Although it earned him a graft case filed by Iloilo Press Club President Rommel Ynion, the former mayor was able to purchase a lot at San Isidro, Jaro District for relocation site of the poor squatters.

The sad story of that 16.2 hectares agricultural land is the acquisition price. A local daily reported that the land was first valued at P2.7 million but purchased by the city government at P63.2 million.

What a brain-cracking acquisition of a relocation site. The over valuation of that property can drive the right senses of an honest man in the brink of insanity. It only creates a widespread perception of a collusion of the highest order.

Worse, until he stepped down from office as city mayor, that relocation site was never provided with lights, passable roads and drainage system. Anyway, that is the leadership the poll-vendors deserved for their stupidity!

There are national projects during Mayor Trenas stewardship of the Iloilo City government. These are the two flyovers at UPV-Iloilo and at the University of San Agustin. These national projects cannot be implemented here without the nod of the local chief executive – the city mayor.

While it is under construction, I asked DPWH Dir. Rolando Asis how much is the cost of a one kilometer two-alleys cemented road. He said it is between P20 to P22 million pesos only. Meaning, one kilometer cemented road will not exceed P22M.

But look at the 250 meters flyover in front of the UPV-Iloilo. It cost P420M when the materials are pre-fabricated and cost less. A P420M is equivalent to the cost of constructing 25 kilometers of cemented road. The nod of the mayor for this project to push through is another SOP.

Again, the 300 meters flyover with pre-fabricated materials at the front of the University of Iloilo cost also P330M. How can one imagine such bedeviled corruption? Approval of the city mayor before a project can be constructed in his turf is also a right that can be misused or abused.

Critics say Cong. Trenas has made more money during his incumbency as mayor than his predecessor does. On how true, we have yet to know. But one thing I am certain about, is the mess that can be traced back to the P137M failed city housing project.

During his last term in office as mayor, COA reported an P821M that cannot be reconciled due to lack of supporting documents or have no document at all. All these reports of abuses in taxpayers’ money remain unresolved to date.

 Remember Christopher Ching of the City Treasurer’s Office? He disappeared with P2.5 million shortages in his cash collection after the spot audit conducted by COA. But another discovery of a missing P25M was also slapped to him as he already ran away and refused to defend himself.

Funny indeed as members of the Iloilo Graft Watch are only listening to reports of disappearance in cash at the city government coffers without any action done to date. It only creates an impression that they overtly professed what they fear to undertake!

Now we have three pompous groups claiming to be dedicated public servants out to defend the taxpayers’ money. They are the Iloilo Graft Watch, COA and the Ombudsman. But I can only smile as they all look like high-class hypocrites wearing beautiful-clean clothes without first taking a bath!