Tupas not allowed as TWG chair
The Commission on Audit (COA) is now calling for top Capitol officials to refund the provincial government nearly half a million pesos claimed from provincial coffers as payment for their added responsibilities as members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and the Capitol's Technical Working Group (TWG).
The list includes Manuel Mejorada, top aide of Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. who serves as the Provincial Administrator, Elena Lim, Provincial Budget Officer, Melba Sullivan, Provincial Treasurer, Carmen Bayate, Provincial Health Officer, Levy Buenavista, another close Governor's aide and Executive Assistant II, Ramie Salcedo, General Services Office Chief, Gracianito Lucero, Provincial Engineer, Edgar Claudio Sumido, Legal Officer II and Lyd Tupas, Provincial Accountant.
Such alongside the posts of a utility foreman Reyniel Buenavista and stenographic reporter II Elma Gatin who according to COA, "do not meet the qualifications of a member."
"Taking account their positions, the two appointed members appeared to be incompetent to do the functions of the TWG members" excerpts of the COA report went.
This, as Tupas being the TWG chair was further deemed by the Commission "not allowed as TWG chairman" with his appointment contrary to a COA circular. He resigned from said post in December 2005 yet he got his monthly honorarium of P48,608.78 from June to December 2004 and January to April 2005.
The refund as sought by COA stemmed from the wrong source of funds where the honoraria were sourced from.