“ Get a clear statement to be signed by every Chief Executives, from barangay officials , to mayor, to governor, attesting that the IRA has not been used in investing the Aman Futures in Kawit”, charged SILG Mar Roxas to DILG Region 9 Director Paisal O. Abutazil  in a conference Friday of November 9,2012 at Hotel Guillermo, Pagadian City.

This response of the Secretary was an urgent move to a controversial question raised by Ms. Dinah Marasigan from Professional Sector, making an appeal to investigate some or several Local Government Units (LGUs) refuted to have invested their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) to the said investment scam in which she also added that this investigation be done firstly in the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

Sec. Roxas added that such certification be done not only to the LGU but also from the treasurer  to issue certification, proving that the IRA is intact. He further said, “ that is a public document, kung magsisinungaling sila that is an offense”.

In a follow-up query made by Vic del Pilar, President of the Zamboanga del Sur & Pagadian City Press, regarding what would be the action of the Secretary if found out that the mayors were actually involved?

“Well, unang una i-ascertain  muna natin yun dahil mahirap magsalita sa espekulasyon. Alamin  muna natin. Kaya inatasan natin yung DILG sa pamamagitan ng ating Regional Director at sa buong office sa pamamagitan ng Bureau of Local Government & Finance na i-ascertain ang laman ng bawat bank account ng LGU including Barangays, Municipalities, Cities and Provincials dito,”replied Sec. Roxas.

The Secretary also supplemented that in this process the DILG Central Office will spearhead the investigation.

“Now if the attestation of the bank shows na buo yung pera well tapos na yun. At kung meron namang attestation na merong indicator na hindi buo ang pera, well that will begin the process of filing the appropriate charges.  Pero huwag muna tayong magsalita na, “ I will do this, I will do that , I will do whatever “ kasi hindi pa natin alam kung ano ang sitwasyon.”

Recently a memorandum, for immediate dissemination and action, dated November 15, 2012 was issued directing immediate submission by all Provincial Governors, City Mayors, Municipal  Mayors and Punong Barangays within the region of their certifications of non-investment of Public Funds of the reported “ Double Your Money” scam allegedly perpetrated by the Aman Futures Group operating in Brgy. Kawit, Pagadian City  and also to see it that a copy of the Report of Checks issued, duly verified by the concerned COA Field Auditor, covering period from January 2011 to November 2012.

“So makakaasa po kayo na babantayan natin ang pera ni Juan dela Cruz, yung pera ninyong lahat, na ibinayad bilang buhis na ibinalik dito bilang IRA , mula sa National Government na sisiguruhin natin na ito’y ligtas at nagastos ito or iningatan ito sa tama at dapat na pamamaraan,” said SILG Roxas in closing.