DAVAO CITY – The complaint against a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) official accused of alleged misuse of government funds is now subject to dismissal after the official died, while complaints against other officials remain under review.
Councilor Arnulfo Ricardo Cabling, chairperson of the Committee on Ethics and Good Governance, announced this during the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum at the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday.
He said the city council had verified complaints against five to six SK officials. One of them, an SK chairperson, recently died. He declined to identify the official or give details about the death.
Cabling said the complaint is subject to dismissal because administrative liability is personal to the SK official involved and ends upon the person's death.
"The committee is still handling the other complaints," Cabling said. "Some are undergoing clarificatory conferences, while others have been referred to remediation."
Cabling said some SK officials were called for remediation, mainly over their failure to submit liquidation reports. He added that failure to submit the report does not mean that public funds were illegally spent.
"It is premature if we say that there is already unauthorized expenditure of money, because this is just a failure to submit the liquidation report," the councilor said.
He said the committee is helping the officials prepare and complete their financial reports. However, cases may still be filed if an investigation finds an actual irregularity.
Complaints under clarificatory conference are also required to be filed under oath, Cabling said, so complainants can formally stand by their allegations.
Meanwhile, Councilor Ragde Niño Ibuyan Jr., vice chairperson of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development, said the City Council, the SK Federation, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have been holding seminars for SK officials.
The seminars cover financial literacy, budgeting, reconciliation, reporting, and proper handling of funds.
Ibuyan said SK officials may be independent under the SK Reform Act, but they remain accountable for their actions and the use of public funds.
"We want to ingrain in them that, 'Yes, the SK Reform Act tells everyone that they are independent, but it does not free anyone from accountability,'" Ibuyan said.
Ibuyan also said calls for SK officials to resign are unfortunate and expressed hope that the complaints could be resolved through the proper process, including remediation when appropriate.
Cabling said the city is considering a proposal to align the submission and approval of barangay and SK budgets to streamline financial monitoring.
He said the proposal has been discussed with the DILG and would still need to be reviewed by the City Council's Oversight Committee.
"The proposed system could help streamline budget deliberations and improve compliance among barangay and SK officials," Cabling said.
Cabling added that there has been no reported increase in complaints involving SK officials accused of illegal activities. (by Vee Tejano)
Facebook Conversations