Laoag council on Sangguniang Panlalawigan invite snub: Probe done, forwarded

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff reporter

Laoag City—After most of its members were a no-show at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Laoag vice mayor explained that an investigation on the missing P85 million has already been done by the Laoag council.

He added that the results have also been forwarded to the higher sanggunian for their “information and guidance.”

Mr. Fariñas spoke during his “Chairman’s Time” in the last council session where he explained that he already sent a letter to the provincial board. In the said letter, he asked that the council members be excused from attending since they have already finished their own investigation on the issue.

The investigation he was apparently referring to were the two executive sessions the council called where all those involved in the issue were called. The main person though, former Laoag treasurer Ma. Elena Asuncion, remains missing.

He stressed that the results of the executive sessions were forwarded to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

Also speaking on the issue, Laoag councilor Franklin Dante A. Respicio explained that the finding they sent to the provincial board also contained resolution the council passed to somehow solve the issue. He added that all Laoag government bank accounts have been recommended to be solely deposited to either the Development Bank of the Philippines or the Land Bank of the Philippines.

Mr. Respicio is the Laoag council’s committee on laws chairperson.

3 LC councilors show up

The said “excuse letter” however may not have reached three neophyte Laoag councilors who showed up at the provincial board. Laoag councilors Roque Benjamin Ablan, Justine Clarence Chua and Handy Lao honored the provincial board’s invitation. The board reciprocated by passing a resolution of commendation for the three newly elected councilors.

Own probe

Meanwhile, The Ilocos Times learned that a delegation from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will proceed to the Commission on Audit central office to follow up on the COA investigation.

SP member Vicentito “Toto” M. Lazo said the people of Laoag “deserves to know where the missing money went and who are the behind it.”

Mr. Lazo also announce that the provincial board will also initiate its own probe on the issue.

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