LET us start this episode with a question.
Who is this official who sought, was granted and actually enjoyed the privileges of schooling while collecting her regular pay and other allowances and yet, has failed to provide proof of such schooling?
In other words, during the entire period of her schooling, she was on official leave and yes, with pay.
And to spice up this issue, this official has availed herself of this privilege not just once, but twice.
* * *
On the assumption that she was able to qualify and on further assumption that she complied with all documentary requirement when she applied for the privilege, one would question how come she just breezed through the process, as though she was guided by the Divine Wind?
That is easy to explain.
She was, as aptly expressed in the lingo, “duol man sa luwag.”
As such, it was super easy for her to hurdle the issue.
* * *
So how come this issue just cropped up now, not before?
Easy too.
Because the past years, she was within the “official circle,” she was included in the so called “untouchables” and because she is also a relative of the congressman.
Ergo, it was fair game for her to clinch that privilege sans the usual hassle.
* * *
How was it discovered then?
Again, easy to explain.
She is now under a new administration, under new set of policies and the expected exodus or transfer of personnel from practically all departments.
Plus, somebody is interested in her position.
Somebody who has been waiting for long, for the unfolding of the right opportunity.
And that opportunity is knocking on his door.
So, he broached the issue just recently.
* * *
It is elementary in government that every expense is duly receipted. The COA is policing the ranks, such that those who failed to provide the appropriate receipts for an expenditure would easily get a not-so-friendly reminder from COA.
We know that any expenditure short of proper receipt will be disallowed.
Now, in the case of this official, naturally, some questions would materialize.
For instance, did she really enroll herself as claimed in her leave application?
And if she enrolled, did she finish the course on time?
And if she finished, did she get the necessary graduation documents, as clear proof of such schooling?
Why all these questions?
Because for one, the LGU has released or disbursed the necessary amount claimed in the application for leave.
In other words, public funds was involved in such a particular activity. Yes, money was released and part of that money went all the way to the personal needs and necessities of the official concerned, like travelling allowance, and other similar expenses.
Nagamit gyod niya ang kwarta sa gobierno, maoy rason nga nagkinahanglan og klaro nga mga papeles nga gigamit niya sa husto nga katuyoan, base sa iyang application.
* * *
Okay, okay, let us assume that she was able to provide proof, though, we don’t know where those documents are.
This is of course stretching the imagination too far because no such records have been found, right in the office occupied by that particular official.
Naa man gyod unta nay office files or personal files sa maong leave application.
Apan wa gyoy nakit-an.
Anyway, let us continue.
* * *
Accordingly, that official is now on study leave. Meaning, wa na siya magreport, kay nag-scholing man, pero with pay ni siya plus entitled to other expenses relative to her schooling.
Mao ni ikaduha nga study leave sa maong opisyal.
Accordingly, more than 6 months have passed since the approval of her second study leave but up to now, she has failed to provide proof of her schooling.
Hangtod karon, wa siyay gi-submit nga mga papeles nga na-enroll gyod siya, according to the source who scrutinized the records of that office.
Ang pangutana, giunsa niya pag-paagi nga naka-kobra man siya sa mga benefits kauban sa iyang study leave bisan kon wa siyay gipakita nga kamatuoran nga na-enroll gyod siya, sa ika-duha, ug kon nahuman gyod siya, sa primero niya nga study leave?
Nganong nakalusot man ni sa COA, sa Budget office or sa accounting office?
* * *
Lisod gyod usbon ang batasan o kinaiya sa mga Pinoy.
Bisan sa kamahal sa mga palaliton, bisan sa kalisod sa panahon, makalugar lang gihapon ang uban nga mga tawo nga mogasto og kwarta aron lang ipalit og pabuto.
Sa kamahal sa mga pabuto karon, sayon ra kaayo ang linibo nga magasto alang niini. Apan mogahin lang gihapon ang mga tawo og kwarta alang sa naandan nga pabuto.
Bahala og makuhaan ang budget sa pamilya para sa pabuto basta masunod lang ang ilang naandan nga buhaton inig sugat sa bag-ong tuig.
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Ang uban sab, di magsapayan kon madisgrasya sa ilang pagpabuto. Migasto na, madisgrasya pa gyod, pastilan.
Duna pod uban, gamiton ang ilang pusil para pabuto bisan nasayod sila nga bawal kining buhaton.
Gawas nga gidili sa balaod, delikado pa gyod ang stray bullet kon asa kini mo-igo. Luoy intawon ang mabiktima kay dili makabalo kon kinsay nakaingon nga naigo sila sa bala.
* * *
It’s a wet New Year.
Pirmi lang gaulan tibuok adlaw hangtod gabii nga maoy hinungdan nga wala na lang mosimba ang uban sa ilang naandan nga simbang gabi.
Tungod sa katugnaw sa panahon, deretso na lang ang uban og katulog, sa sunod adlaw na lang mosimba.
Well, iyahanay og diskarte lang but the point is, everybody is celebrating the new year and welcoming it with hopes that things would be better, that the fear and panic from Covid will subside and be well-managed, that the prices of basic food commodities will go down to reasonable level and peace and unity will reign in our hearts for the rest of the year.
Cheers and a blessed New Year to everyone.
