By LITO RULONA
Correspondent /
COUNCILOR Ian Mark Nacaya on Monday sought an investigation into allegations of irregularities in the finances of the government-owned Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Complex and on the appointment of ex-councilor President Elipe as general manager of the group operating the facility.
Nacaya cited a complaint sent to Civil Service Commission Commissioner Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo, and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales by one “Concerned Sports Enthusiast of Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental” or the “CDO-Misor Sports Enthusiasts”.
Nacaya said the complainant questioned the “private operation” of the sports complex by the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Council (Moisc) under Elipe who was appointed as general manager. The capitol is presently calling the shots in the sports complex.
Nacaya said it was pointed out by the complainant that there is no record or evidence of the legal creation of Moisc as a business and legal entity.
He said it was alleged that Moisc has been left unchecked, and that its activities and purchases have not been accounted for. It was also alleged that government procurement processes have not been followed and that expenditures do not pass through government accounting and auditing.
Nacaya said Moisc has allegedly been collecting entrance fees for the use of the facilities, and rent from occupants of commercial spaces.
He cited one allegation in the complaint: “The official receipts that they use are private in nature and not government official receipts. These funds are not remitted to the treasurer of the province of Misamis Oriental…”
“No financial statements are readily available for purposes of transparency… This ease of disbursements of money facilitates corruption in the use of public funds.”
Nacaya said the funds, which amount to millions of pesos, were allegedly being used to promote the political interests of ex-councilor Elipe.
Elipe’s wife Nadya sits as a member of the city council together with Nacaya, and she is the sister of Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano.
The complaint, read in toto by Nacaya, alleged that there were “unhampered” purchases of t-shirts, sports equipment, tarpaulins, and other promotional items that supposedly bear the names and faces of ex-councilor Elipe and Emano.
Elipe’s appointment was also criticized in the complaint as a violation of election and civil service laws.
In a text message, Elipe said he did not receive a copy of the complaint.
“I hope ma-substantiate ni Nacaya iya complaint para sa ako matubag. Dili man pud ko motuo that Nacaya would make baseless accusations, based on hearsay,” Elipe said.
Nacaya said the complaint underscored the need to be clear on the ownership of the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Complex, pointing out that Cagayan de Oro and the Department of Education are stakeholders.
“It seems that the local government of Cagayan de Oro has not enjoyed as part owner of the sports complex for at least two to three decades,” he said.
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