BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The City Council has been urged to resolve the allegation of improper release of public funds against San Isidro, Jaro barangay captain Ronela Juaneza.
The complainants submitted a position paper requesting that the Blue Ribbon Committee find Juaneza guilty of three counts of violating the Government Procurement Reform Act (Republic Act 9184), citing grave abuse of authority and misconduct in office.
“The foregoing illegal actions of the respondent using her official position for personal gain or to exert undue influence over others constitute grave abuse of authority and a clear violation of RA 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and run counter to the governing principles of the 2016 Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184,” read the complainants’ position paper.
JUANEZA: COMPLAINT LACKS MERIT
In her 15-page counter-affidavit, Juaneza requested the City Council to dismiss the complaint, citing lack of merit.
She also sought P100,000 in moral and exemplary damages from the complainants, alleging that their actions were intended to harass her administration.
Juaneza’s response, articulated by her lawyer Karen Edaniel, claimed that instead of support, former officials and barangay kagawad were attempting to undermine her leadership.
Juaneza argued that the complaint lacked a valid cause of action and characterized it as “unmeritorious” and a form of harassment aimed at discrediting her and forcing her removal.
She contended that the allegations primarily focused on the issuance of checks and the release of barangay funds without following proper procurement procedures.
Furthermore, Juaneza expressed that her administration faced undue scrutiny due to her unexpected victory in the recent barangay elections.
Juaneza claimed that her actions were being monitored to find faults that could justify her removal. She maintained that all purchases in question were properly accounted for, the funds were intact, and procedures had been followed, arguing that the complaint was filed prematurely.
THE CASE
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by Eugenio Bolivar, Cheryl Maralit, Ruby Gallano, Rene Dimasu-ay, and Zenith Rigby, who accused Juaneza and Janette Gacuma, the village treasurer, of dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in office, and abuse of authority and violation of Republic Act 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.
The complainants alleged that Juaneza violated the Government Procurement Reform Act for allowing the disbursement of public funds on various dates from December 2023 to January 2024 without observing public competitive bidding.
These include purchases of office supplies worth 94,122.32; well-milled rice cost of P365,488; drugs and medicines for senior citizens for January 2024 worth 235,660.72 and encashed several checks for payment of several barangay hall’s operating expenses.
Mayor Jerry Treñas earlier approved the recommendation of the City Council to preventively suspend Juaneza for six days while the Blue Ribbon Committee is investigating her for three counts of violation of Republic Act 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), which constitutes misconduct in office and abuse of authority.
Last Aug. 28, the Committee started its preliminary conference on the allegations that Juaneza illegally released public funds amounting to P818,085.04.
The complainants alleged that Juaneza violated the Government Procurement Reform Act for allowing the disbursement of public funds on various dates from December 2023 to January 2024 without observing public competitive bidding.
In their position paper, the complainants alleged that Juaneza facilitated unauthorized personal transactions and released barangay funds totaling Php818,085.04 in December 2023 and January 2024.
Specifically, on December 7, 2023, she is accused of entering two separate transactions, each amounting to P94,122.32, paid to Richmart Enterprises for office supplies.
These transactions, according to the complainants, bypassed the mandated bidding and procurement processes, raising concerns about compliance with legal requirements for public spending.
The complainants further assert that Juaneza executed these transactions on the same day without the required purchase request and purchase order (PRPO), as well as the necessary acceptance and inspection reports.
On Dec. 13, 2023, the complainants alleged that she released P365,488 to Richmart Enterprises for well-milled rice, without informing the Barangay Council or submitting a project proposal for such a significant purchase.
The complainants said they later discovered that this rice purchase was related to a gift-giving program initiated by them, raising additional concerns about transparency and adherence to procurement regulations.
Even assuming, for the sake of argument, that the transactions and program followed the proper procurement processes, the complainants contend that the amount spent for well-milled rice was excessively high for such a purchase.
Moreover, they stressed that this matter was never discussed in any regular sessions or included in the agenda, raising further concerns about transparency and the decision-making process within the Barangay Council.
The complainants argue that Juaneza’s actions represent a grave abuse of authority, using her official position for personal gain and exerting undue influence.
They assert that these actions violate Republic Act 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and contradict the governing principles outlined in the 2016 Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9184. Specifically, Section 3 emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and fairness in government procurement processes, principles that the complainants believe have been significantly undermined by Juaneza’s conduct.
The complainants added that Juaneza has effectively admitted to irregular practices by stating that she issued Purchase Orders (PBC) and checks before obtaining the necessary Barangay Anti-Corruption (BAC) Resolution, which is required to authorize such actions.
This admission, the complainants noted, underscores her disregard for established procedures and further supports claims of misconduct and abuse of authority.
According to the complainants, Juaneza’s unilateral issuance of Purchase Orders and checks to Richmart Enterprises, without proper authority or sanction from the Barangay Council—specifically the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)—demonstrates clear grave abuse of authority and misconduct in office.
By assuming the power to authorize payments for well-milled rice without a duly passed resolution, the complainants said she undermines the procedural laws that govern such actions./PN
