Tom orders arrest of CH worker, probes  another for “kissing” BF

Mayor Tomas Osmeña had a casual employee arrested for alleged theft and possession of shabu paraphernalia, and a female member of the Mayor’s Management Team investigated for allegedly kissing with her boyfriend inside the city accounting office.

The first case involved Rodolfo Bungcaras, a casual employee of the general services office as a welder, who was reportedly caught in possession of the city-owned air compressor that he took out of the GSO without permission or notice.

Four members of the Barangay Intelligence Network, guarding the GSO in Pond E of the South Road Properties, stopped Bungcaras who was driving a city vehicle on his way out of the GSO. Upon inspection, they found the P100,000-worth compressor on the floor of the driver’s seat conveniently placed between the pedals.

The four BIN members were Marlon Semblante, Ronaldo Turla, Reynaldo Corilla and Raymond Ruben III, who were on duty at the time. They also found from Bungcaras possession a disposable lighter, an improvised tissue paper wick, and three aluminum foils that were believed to be shabu paraphernalia.

Bungcaras was arrested and taken to the City Police Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch while a case of qualified theft and violation of anti-illegal drugs law were filed against him at the City Prosecutor’s Office.

The second case was about a female member of Osmeña’s management team who was allegedly caught engaged in kissing with her boyfriend right inside the city accounting office.

Osmeña, in his regular press conference yesterday, announced that he already forwarded the case to the city attorney’s office. “I already referred the matter to the city attorney not only for termination but for filing of charges as well.”

Without identifying the employee, the mayor said he would have her investigated although he saw no need to terminate her unlike in Bungcaras’ case.

“There is need for investigation and disciplinary action. You steal and you’re terminated because termination involves dishonesty like loss of money, kawat sa gasolina and things like that,” Osmeña explained but said that it would have been different if the MMT employee was kissing a married man.

Osmeña said the city government would certainly act against these “to make it clear that we don’t allow it here.”

Reports had it that the MMT member was on overtime when caught by the officer of the City Hall’s MARS Communication Center. The mayor said, “This should be looked into. Let’s establish a policy.”  — Wenna A. Berondo/RAE