IF IT is allowed legally, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña is willing to pay some P135 million that the City Government owes to the Asian College of Technology International Educational Foundation (ACTIEF) for its scholarship program.
In his news conference yesterday, Osmeña said he also plans to directly give the funds intended for each scholars of the City to them, so they can pay their own tuition instead of waiting for the long process at City Hall in paying it.
“I’m not a lawyer, but if that will allow me... because many of the students can’t get their transcripts,” Osmeña said when asked if he is willing to pay the ACTIEF.
Osmeña said the system of the scholarship program has to be revised. He considers giving directly the money to the students as long as they follow all the rules required and they’re qualified.
Before, Osmeña said the City opted to pay directly to the school because its cheaper than requiring the students to go to City Hall and claim the payments for their tuition.
Fees
The P135 million that the City owes to ACTIEF represents the school fees of the scholars incurred beginning from the second semester of school year 2014-2015.
A civil petition for declaratory relief filed by the City is pending before the Regional Trial Court, which is the reason the school has yet to claim the payment due to them.
The City filed the case to determine if it is allowed by law to pay the ACTIEF following the Office of the Ombudsman resolution finding the school owner, Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa (Cebu City, south district), of committing conflict of interest.
Abellanosa was a councilor when the Cebu City Council authorized Osmeña in 2010 and former Mayor Michael Rama in 2011 to enter into a MOA with ACTIEF, which was formerly the Asian College of Technology (ACT) under the local government’s scholarship program.
Abellanosa signed the MOA in 2010 as trustee and president of ACT.
In 2011, he signed the MOA on behalf of ACTIEF.
Charges
Just this week, the Office of the Ombudsman filed charges for violation of Section 3(i) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft Corrupt Practices Act against Abellanosa before the Sandiganbayan following his move to allow his school to participate in the Cebu City Government’s scholarship program.
Asked on the move of the anti-graft office, Osmeña believes that Abellanosa did not commit graft and corruption.
“I think the Ombudsman basically did not recognize that it is the students that choose the school. If you will analyze the scholarship program, ACT has the best offer. The lowest financial requirements, how can that be graft and corruption? He is not blocking the others (schools),” he said.
The City, he added, did not also give unwarranted advantage to one school since the students were given free hand on what school to enroll in their college education.
Under the City’s scholarship program, high school graduates are given P10,000 as tuition assistance and P1,000 allowance every month per semester so they can enroll in college. The amount is paid directly to the school.
