MANILA - New Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez revealed Wednesday the province has a billion pesos in debts. He said he is now checking if the loans incurred went to deserving projects. The new governor, who replaced disqualified Governor ER Ejercito, said that based on the report of the Commission on Audit, there were unliquidated advances during Ejercito's term. "Walang problema sa utang. Ang problema nagamit ba ng maganda? Na-copy furnish ako ng COA. Madaming unliquidated, unexplained use of funds," he said in an interview on ANC's Headstart. Though Hernandez declined to speak ill against his predecessor, he confirmed reports that Ejercito was often absent and late for work. "Kase nagfufunction ako as vice governor. Focus ko Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Yung mga tao pumupunta sa akin, 'Vice, wala kase si Gov.'" "Di naman ganun ka-close yung personal relationship namin. Di ko sya namomonitor. Nagtatrabaho ako as vice gov, nagtatrabaho siya as gov. Naririnig ko lang reklamo ng mga tao." Responding to allegations against him this time, Hernandez admitted he used to gamble but insists he stopped upon joining government service. He said he will continue the projects of Ejercito, support his scholars and hire his staff should they reapply. He also clarified he removed the photos of Ejercito from the capitol to avoid confusion among the workforce. MORNINGS@ANC, JUNE 4, 2014
