A member of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) said they would look into the serious accusations of corrupt practices thrown by a contractor during their next regular board meeting.
Jason Dalman, who sat in the BOR representing the Federation of Alumni Associations, said it is only proper for the board to discuss and address the allegations of Engineer Selwyn Lao.
Lao, president of Wing-An Construction and Development Corp., had accused the board and some USTP officials of illegal and corrupt practices following the termination of contract of the 8-storey Student Center and Education Complex building construction project.
"Kailangan siya hisgutan (It needs to be discussed) because this matter is very serious nga ang board lang ang kailangan mo-address or motubag labi na kay mopasaka daw siya og kaso (It will be the board that will answer especially that he plans to file a case)," Dalman said.
He said the BOR will convene next month and it is expected that the revelations of Lao will be tackled and addressed.
Dalman maintained that whatever decisions the board will take, it will always be based on documents, reports, recommendations and evaluations.
He said the decision making relies on the recommendation of the administrative council of the USTP.
Dalman explained that every board meetings, the administrative council composed of the top officials of the university are present to answer queries and concerns.
"We look at papers and evidences kay didto mi magbasi sa decision. We don't decide on our own nga kung unsa lang ang among gusto. We rely sa recommendations sa administrative council busa naa sila every meeting to defend sa ilang mga recommendations," Dalman said.
Dalman confirmed that the board already asked the assistance of the Office of the Ombudsman to look into the issue of Lao and architect Rey Galua’s dealings with USTP.
He said the board will also discuss the possibility of taking legal action to counter Lao’s 'baseless' accusations.
"Naay possibility kung makita nga kailangan mohatag of legal actions para dili magpadayon ang baseless accusations," Dalman said.
"Dili pa siya formal case pero nagpatabang mi sa Ombudsman to investigate Lao and Galua and kung unsa recommendation sa Ombudsman that's the time nga magpasaka og formal case," Dalman added.
rAnother board member, 1st District Representative Maximo Rodriguez Jr. said they will face and answer the accusations of Lao in a proper forum.
Rodriguez also sits at the board representing the chair of the House committee on Higher and Technical Education.
"Magpadayon ang board sa iyang buluhaton. Dili mi mahadlok sa iyang threat nga mo-file og kaso kay amo nang atubangon," Rodriguez said.
(We will continue with our work. We will not be cowed by his threats and we will answer his allegations in court)
"For me it's unfair nga karon pa ni gi-raise nga dili na katubag si Dr. Rotoras," Rodriguez added.
(For me, it is unfair that this has been raised when Dr. Rotoras can no longer reply)
