IN SIPALAY
Mayor finally enforces
suspension of 5 officials
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Ombudsman’s order suspending five officials of the Sipalay City government for three months without pay was finally enforced Wednesday, Sipalay Mayor Oscar Montilla confirmed yesterday.

The Ombudsman’s order cited the respondents for the purchase of overpriced medicines and medical supplies ranging from 100 percent to 600 percent over the prevailing market price for Sipalay City in 2001.

Ordered suspended are City Accountant Eva Sabusap, City Budget Officer Fernando Balbin, City Health Officer Noel Villanueva, City Treasurer Renato Manilla and Revenue Collection Officer III Evangeline Seneres, all of the Sipalay City government.

Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has issued an executive order creating a joint inspection team to monitor compliance with the rules and regulations governing the sale of petroleum products in Bacolod City.

Leonardia also designated Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson to represent him as chairman of the Joint Inspection Team and Coordinating Council, inMemorandum Order No. 188 dated December 29, 2011.

Executive Order No. 30 said there is a need to create a Joint Inspection Team and Coordinating Council to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations governing business of petroleum products in relation to Department of Energy Circular No. 2003-11-010, or Rules and Regulations Governing the Business of Retailing Liquid Petroleum Products.

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) registered perfect attendance at the House of Representatives in 2011, but two lawmakers from Negros Occidental were among the top 15 with the most absences.

An attendance report of the House of Representatives posted at its website at www.congress.gov.ph shows that there were 59 session days from January 17 to December 14, 2011.

The two lawmakers from Negros Occidental with the most absences were Ignacio Arroyo (Neg. Occ., 5th District) with 28 and Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Neg. Occ., 1st District) with 22.