The Sangguniang Panlalawigan was at the receiving end of tirades courtesy of Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim who sought an investigation on the alleged role of Jane Censoria Cajes, federation president of the Sangguniang Kabataan, in the disbursement of SK funds amounting to millions of pesos. An anti-graft case pending before the Office of the Ombudsman Manila was filed against the SK official for her to account of funds amounting to more than P90 million. Speaking over his radio program “Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan” over Station DyTR yesterday morning, the mayor said the call to investigate Cajes will show the objectivity of the provincial law-making body of which the embattled youth leader is a member. Lim said that if the SP believes that Cajes is unfairly being attacked, the SP can issue a stand expressing support for her.

But if they believe she could be liable of the charges, then Lim said the SP can pass a resolution expressing commitment against corruption and calling for an early disposition of the case. The mayor made it clear such a stand should not deal with the merits of the case “I am issuing this challenge because the provincial board is very silent on an issue that has generated national concern,” he added. Lim said that if the board washed its hand on this issue, it will deliver the message that the SP will move only when it involves other parties but not against one of their own. He recalled that in the previous administration, the SP instigated by then Board Alfonso Damalerio II who is now the right hand man of Gov. Edgar Chatto investigated the drainage problem in the city “even though they did not receive any formal complaint about it”.

“In the case of the SK president, there is a formal complaint that makes it a serious matter,” he added. Lim also noted that the present SP already came out with a position to hold in abeyance all reclamation projects in Panglao even before the results of the environmental study is out. “It means that they can be aggressive when it concerns other people but not when it involves one of them,” he added. Lim said he is throwing the matter directly to the people so they can make up their mind if the SP will not make a move. “There is a need for us to make a stand so that people in other parts of the country will know how we feel about allegations of corruption,” he added. The SK controversy has been discussed in many national forums particularly in the light of the calls for its abolition. Lim said it is disturbing that the issue which involves allegation of corruption has not been given prominent treatment in the local media.

“If the one involved here was the mayor of Tagbilaran, not a bone in my body would be left untouched,” he added. Lim said he issued the challenge to the SP because he believes there are still elements within it that are “decent” and “sincere”. He added that he has no more expectations from Chatto who is known to disappear during controversies. “He will only appear when the problem is over and someone has to take credit,” the mayor added. Lim said that if he were in the shoes of Chatto, he would be very angry considering that the governor was invited to speak during the national SK convention here early in his term. “I would feel used being made to speak during the convention when it turns out there is a brewing controversy,” he added. The mayor said many SP members obviously want to wait for the resolution of the case which can take years.