IN THE PHILIPPINES, family ties matter – but not in a small municipality located in the province of Cebu where the sitting governor collides with a relative over a relatively small infrastructure project.
In recent weeks, Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro has been taking a swipe after another against Pinamungajan municipal Mayor Glenn Baricuatro whom she dragged into an “overpriced” toilet pegged at P1.15 million.
While both local officials share similar surnames, the governor and the municipal mayor belong to opposing political parties.
According to Gov. Baricuatro, P1.15 million for the construction of a public toilet in Barangay Tajao is too much.
FUNDED BY THE DILG
However, Mayor Baricuatro insisted that no local funds were used in the construction of the public toilet even as he claimed that the project was made possible with the financial incentive given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) after the town notched its Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG).
The municipal chief executive likewise warded off the government’s jab which he described as premature as the project has yet to be completed.
He also insisted that the local government will not pay the contractor until after proper evaluation, inspection, and acceptance upon project completion.
“This project has undergone proper legal and administrative procedures and was approved by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),” the mayor said.
“The Municipality of Pinamungajan remains resolute in upholding transparency, accountability, and genuine service to the people because true governance shines brightest when it is anchored on trust and truth,” he further emphasized.
The mayor added that all related documents are available at the Municipal Hall, although as of writing, none have been posted on their social media sites.
DISCLOSE DOCUMENTS
In response, the governor urged the Pinamungajan local government to disclose the itemized cost breakdown, bidding process and bidders’ qualifications, audit and procurement compliance, timeline, current status, and remaining milestones.
“The mayor’s stance on transparency must be proven with verifiable data. I call on the local government to publish the full project documents and an independent audit report,” she said.
The governor also disclosed having received information alleging that Dinah RBS Construction & Supply served as a dummy contractor, with a councilor closely tied to the mayor using its license to have his own company undertake the project.
OVERLAPPING TIMELINES
According to a SunStar report, official DILG documents showed that the agency funded the project through the SGLG Incentive Fund for Fiscal Year 2024, just as the mayor claimed.
On September 29, DILG Region 7 Director Leocadio Trovela issued a Notice to Implement (NTI), requiring the project to be completed and liquidated within 12 months upon receipt.
However, when the governor visited the site on October 19, she discovered writings on the project tarpaulin stating that construction began June 27, with a target completion date of August 20.
Interestingly, the project remains unfinished upon the visit. The DILG hinted at inspecting the project any time soon.
POLITICAL BICKERING
On October 17, the governor posted on social media: “Visit Pinamungajan, our public toilet costs 1.153M” — followed by a “face with stuck-out tongue and winking eye” emoji.
She followed up the next day with: “Transparency? Yes, your being kurakot is now transparent” — again using the “face with stuck-out tongue and winking eye” emoji.
“If she is truly concerned about the alleged overpriced CR, she could have directly inquired or verified with DILG if there are any irregularities in the pricing of the project, rather than resort to a provocative stance on social media, which may be construed as conduct unbecoming of a public official,” reads part of the mayor’s statement dated October 20.
DEFENSIVE POSTURE
“I refuse to be distracted by theatrics or unfounded claims,” he added.
While still awaiting DILG’s intervention, the governor added more controversies, this time questioning the usefulness of a P10-million tennis court project on Tuesday.
In response, the mayor defended the project and clarified details surrounding the cost and implementation — yet again, without providing any substantial proof.
The mayor, as uploaded on the local government unit’s website, showed that he enjoys jogging, tennis, basketball, and chess.