The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has opened a fact-finding mission into the P8 million budget provided by the Bacolod City government for the Bacolod City Government Employees Union (BCGEU) to hold their year-end activity last December.

The issue previously drew criticism from local anti-graft and corruption group watchdog Task Force Kasanag (TFK) and Bacolod City Councilor Wilson Gamboa, Jr., questioning the justification for the funds, with TFK National Commander John Chiong calling it an “anomalous use of government funds.”

Based on documents forwarded to Watchmen Daily Journal, journalist Edgar Cadagat filed a complaint with the Ombudsman last month, questioning why the BCGEU, an organization solely for regular employees, included job order and casual employees in their three-day event; along with calling the budget into question when food provided for the event comprised of siopao, barbecue skewers, and soft drinks.

He added, when pressed, the Bacolod City  Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) was unable to provide an estimate of how many regular staff are employed.

Cadagat compared the issue to the P6 million Christmas Party held last year at the Edsa Shangri-la in Mandaluyong City by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which drew the attention of President Rodrigo Duterte, who, as characterized by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr., is “one who does not tolerate extravagance.”

Earlier, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia defended the P8 million budget, claiming the activity was not only intended for the Christmas party of the union, but a year-end assessment.

“P8 million for three days is cheaper than P5 million for one day,” the mayor said.

He insisted the money “went to the benefit of the employees.”/DGB, WDJ