By Jes Tirol
Bohol Chronicle Columnist
ProemWhen
Bohol was reverted in control to Cebu in 1857, it was a queer type of organization. Bohol as a province was called the District of Bohol. It was under the jurisdiction in the civilian aspect with the District of Cebu. Both Cebu and Bohol were under the District of the Visayas with a District Governor who was a military man.
Flow of AuthorityBohol as a Politico-Military province had a military governor of at least the rank of Captain. Cebu as an Alcaldia province had a governor that must be a lawyer. The District of the Visayas was under a military general.
When
Bohol was reverted in control to Cebu, the governor of Bohol Captain Juan Navarro stayed in Bohol but he no longer had the control over the civilian functionaries.
However, he was within the flow of command in the military.
The Warehousing MethodWhen Bohol was reverted in control to Cebu, everything from money to supplies was put in what was called "Camarin de Almacén de vinos del fielato principales de Bohol" or "A warehouse for the store (supply) where the upper-class can go to obtain provisions."
The care and maintenance of the building or camarin was under the care of the Gobernadorcillo (now: Mayor) of Tagbilaran. However, there was no proper rule as to who will control the flow of supplies and money.
The Two FunctionariesDon Domingo de Escondrillas was the Director of Public Works of the District of Bohol.
Don Juan Palacio was the perito (expert) or auditor for the District of Bohol. For a long time the two functionaries were working harmoniously. However, about the middle of year 1861 the two functionaries had a parting of ways.
Don Juan Palacio, the auditor-appraiser, accused Don Domingo de Escondrillas of making a double budget. One budget, which was higher, was submitted to higher authorities for projects in Bohol but actually he implemented a lower budget in the project.
The report of Don Juan Palacio to higher authority did not actually accused Don Escondrillas of corruption but it was insinuated in the report that the Director of Public Works benefited in the projects.
The Director of Public works answered that the budget became higher because he had to purchase the materials that were of good quality, which were not usually available in Bohol.
The communications between the functionaries in Bohol and higher authorities were plentiful. The controversy was finally resolved at the end of year 1863.
The ObservationIt was finally observed by higher authorities that the fault was due to the absence of someone who was in-charge of the Almacen. Also, there were no proper rules to follow on what to do when the civilian functionary would perform his work. This was due to the fact that the Military Governor no longer had the authority over the civilian functionaries.
The experience was one of the primary reasons why Bohol was put again under the authority of the Politico-Military Governor the next year 1864.
Happy Days Has EndedFrom year 1857 to 1861, the civilian functionaries in Bohol had a good time in making money. They were on their own because supervision from Cebu and Manila was minimal.
We must bear in mind that the functionaries were prohibited to own properties such as land and houses. So they must obtain cash from the contractors.
Do you think that government functionaries obtaining money from contractors are new? No sir, it was done in Bohol 157 years ago.
It was made easier because the money and supplies were all gathered in one warehouse and the warehouse was equivalent to the present day PX store of the military. All upper class people were allowed to obtain from the PX.
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