Bayan Muna denies army allegations of fund misuse

BONTOC Mountain Province – Bayan Muna denounced accusations of the Philippine Army 5th Civilian Military Operation Battalion that the partylist group had engaged in graft and corruption and misuse of public funds.

“Such allegations are baseless, malicious and irresponsible,” the group said in a statement. “Bayan Muna is a legitimate and legal political party.”

The statement said during the May elections, as part of the military’s “Oplan Bantay Laya II” program, army troopers distributed and posted many kinds of black propaganda against progressive party list members and candidates. But despite these, they were able to gain seats in Congress.”

The statement cited a certain Sgt. Alexander Nacino who said during symposiums they conducted here at Mountain Province State Polytechnic College that Bayan Muna funds have been pilfered by its officials.

“These are all lies,” the statement said. “All Countryside Development Fund (CDF) expenditures of Bayan Muna have been fully accounted for and used for projects benefiting the people.”

The statement said In the Cordillera alone, the following are some of Bayan Muna projects implemented in 2001 to 2003.

Barangay Gabriela Silang three storey multi-purpose building – P 2.3 million
Barangay Ucab multi- purpose building , second phase - P 200,000.00
Barangay Bulalacao multi-purpose building – P 600,000.00
Barangay Colalo multi-purpose building – P 300,000.00
Medical Aid Fund with Benguet General Hospital – P 800,000.00
Dalupirip irrigation project – P 500,000.00
Mountain Province
Concreting of Dantay -Sagada Road - P 10 million
Gueday Besao road rehabilitation – P 1.5 million
Mainit – Bontoc flood control - P 1.2 million + P 700,000.00 domestic water works
Tonglayan Natonin domestic water works – P 250,000.00
Letang, Tapapan Bauko – domestic water works – P 250,000.
Kalinga
Tomiangan foot bridge rehabilitation – P 800,000.00
Nambaran flood control - P 350,000.00
Dillag – Basao deep well - P 350,000.00
Cabaruan Sur post-harvest facilities - P 180,000.00
Ifugao
Completion of Takak hanging bridge, Asipulo - P 500,000.00

“Clearly, Bayan Muna has ensured that the people’s money goes back to them in terms of basic social services in the context of its commitment to pursue politics of platform and performance,” the statement said. “Since 2005 to present, the CDF of progressive party lists such as Bayan Muna, Anak Pawis and Gabriela have been frozen by former President Gloria Macapagal Aroyo. The funds were not released and this caused non-implementation of projects.”

The statement urged “this certain Sgt. Alexander Nacino and the 5TH CMO Battalion to check with the House committee on appropriation and the Dept. of Budget and Management including implementing agencies like the departments of Public Works and Highway , Education and Health” the veracity of their funds and how these were spent.