BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered separate investigations of two sports-related incidents that became the subject of complaints from concerned citizens here.
In twin administrative orders issued last Dec. 19, the mayor created two committees to handle the probes into complaints on the alleged gambling activity and barring of athletes at the tennis court at the Baguio Athletic Bowl and on the alleged negligence and mishandling of the athletes who joined the Batang Pinoy.
The first team composed of city legal officer Melchor Carlos Rabanes or his representative, city environment and parks management office assistant department head Ruben Cervantes and secretary to the mayor Rafael Tallocoy was tasked to investigate claims that there were gambling activities happening at the tennis court and that the young athletes were denied full access to the facility in the presence of disgruntled parents.
In Administrative Order No. 186 series of 2016, the mayor said there is a need to investigate the allegations, review the contract or agreement covering the court for the city to come out with revised rules and regulations on the utilization of the facility.
The committee was tasked to find out if there is truth to the report, find out who are responsible and undertake the review of the contract.
In Administrative Order No. 187 series of 2016, the mayor tasked city administrator Carlos Canilao, Office of the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent officer-in-charge Augustine Laban III and Rabanes or his representative to look into reports on the Batang Pinoy event.
“Complaints had reached our office regarding the alleged negligence and mishandling of the Baguio City athletes relative to their means of transportation from Nasipit Jeepney Terminal going to Butuan City and from Butuan City to Tagum City,” the mayor said.
The incident allegedly resulted to the team’s loss by the default in their event.
“There is a necessity to conduct an investigation regarding the said incident to find out what actually happened, who are responsible among the Baguio City coordinators and importantly, to prevent similar incidents from happening again,” the mayor said.
Both committees were given ten days to complete the investigations with recommended actions. – Aileen P. Refuerzo#
