Chapala’s municipal treasurer Roberto Molina Salazar appears to have been hoodwinked by a shady awards program claimed to recognize high job performance by public servants.
Late last week the city’s chief financial officer posted a Facebook entry announcing his nomination for the 2016 Premio Nacional Tlatoani as one of Mexico’s most outstanding treasurers, to be awarded by the Instituto Mejores Gobernantes (IMG) and the Instituto Mexicano de Evaluación (IMDE).
The two non-profit organizations based in León, Guanajuato purport to single out the country’s most accomplished governors, senators, congressmen, mayors and various other government officials. However, national and international media have exposed IMG and IMDE for operating what looks more like a pay-to-play hustle than an authentic acknowledgment of good government practices.
Allegations concerning the Tlatoani prize and four other IMG-IMDE award schemes first arose back in 2013 after a number of Mexican officials with notoriously bad reputations received distinctions.
Press reports explain that the ploy starts with nomination letters-similar to the one received by Molina-that are apparently sent out wholesale across the nation. Nominees who agree to participate in the selection process are asked to submit documentation attesting to their exemplary conduct in government work.
Although advertised as a process “free of cost,” the kicker comes when those named as finalists are hit up for a hefty “administrative fee” to cover expenses for their reception at the plush awards ceremony held in Mexico City. Winners have reportedly forked over as much as 17,500 pesos a head to take home the vanity award, not counting added personal travel expenses to attend the event.
The Tlatoani prize consists of a personalized hand-crafted pewter trophy, complemented by presumed public glory that comes as part of the deal.
In the course of this week, former mayor Joaquin Huerta and several other top officials from Chapala’s 2012-2015 administration disclosed they too had received IMG-IMDE nominations, but avoided falling into the trap.
Molina has not yet revealed whether he intends to pursue the dubious candidacy as a top notch bean-counter.