Guingona wants security for payroll padding whistle blower

By BenCyrus G. Ellorin

GINGOOG CITY — Mayor Marie L. Guingona is “deeply saddened” upon learning the seriousness of the alleged existence of ghost employees in the city’s local legislature.

Although, at first she tried to distance from the issue especially that it is the campaign season, Guingona said in a statement that upon hearing the for assistance of Dayoc, “I immediately requested my staff to ascertain the veracity of his situation. Because of the serious allegations made against public officials, my lack of personal knowledge of the situation and of his person, I deemed it prudent to first check on the matter.”

She added, she had instructed her staff “to coordinate with the proper government agencies on the safety of his life and well-being.”

Guingona said that even if she does not know Dayoc personally, she “admires the courage and principles” of Dayoc, a 63-year-old resident of barangay 18-A, Gingoog City. Dayoc executed an affidavit-complaint before the Ombudsman – Mindanao against Vice Mayor Eric Cañosa, Councilor Ernesto Chaves and Sangguniang Panglungsod secretary Maria Theresa Mortiz-Arao for Violation of RA 3016, Malversation of Funds through falsification of Public Documents pursuant to Art. 217, in relation to Art. 171 of the Revised Penal Code, Grave Abuse of Authority, Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct, Violation of RA 6713, Dishonesty.

Guingona said “Dayoc has been apparently used in this anomalous transaction. He is the victim here as public funds are being siphoned into the pockets of some public officials mentioned in the expose.”

In an interview Wednesday, Erick Cañosa brushed off the allegations calling it a “demolition job” and designed to harass his team.

Cañosa who is allied with the PaDayon – UNA of Gov. Bambi Emano is challenging Mayor Guingona of LP for the mayoralty of Gingoog City, a component city of Misamis Oriental with over 130,000 voters. (BenCyrus G. Ellorin)