Greg gives in, turns over vehicles

CEBU, Philippines -   Cebu Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. yesterday agreed to turn over the vehicles assigned to him, in response to an order of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia recalling the vehicles charged against the Office of the Governor but were being used by the Office of the Vice Governor.

 A representative of the Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) visited his office yesterday afternoon, where Sanchez made a request not to include the multi-cab that is being used as mini ambulance.

Sanchez received the recall order last month. It was sent by Provincial Administrator Eduardo Habin. Upon receiving the order, the vice governor had accused the executive department of harassing him.

“Kun mao man kaha ang kalipay nila nga makuha ang sakyanan, andam nako kini nga iuli, apan kun mahimo dili lang unta maapil ang multi-cab nga gigamit karon nga mini-ambulance sa lungsod sa Tuburan,” said Sanchez.

Sanchez said poor residents of Tuburan town have benefited from the mini-ambulance. He said he and newly-elected Tuburan Mayor Aljun Diamante have been using personal money for its gasoline.

A lady representative from the PGSO told Sanchez that she was ordered to follow up the implementation of Habin’s order. She refused to be interviewed by reporters.

Sanchez showed Habin’s letter, which cited inventory as purpose for the recall.

 He denied that the vehicles issued to him, an Isuzu Fuego, a mini-ambulance, a multicab and three motorcycles, were improperly used by his office. He also asked why he is being asked to turn them over only now.

The vice governor believes that Gov. Garcia seeks to cripple him by all means, first by cutting his powers and now taking away his vehicles.

The mini-ambulance, according to Sanchez, is currently assigned to Barangay Bagasawi.

But Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda, in previous interviews, denied that they are harassing Sanchez. Sepulveda said it is the responsibility of the governor’s office to determine where the vehicles can best be used.

Sepulveda explained that the vehicles are under the responsibility of the Office of the Governor and there is a need to conduct an inventory in preparation for the next term of Garcia.

“Dili siya makabuot kun unsa na ang plano sa mga sakyanan kay ang gobernador mao man ang may katungod niini,” Sepulveda said.

For other vehicles which are also under the Office of the Governor but assigned to other government offices, Sepulveda said that it will not be recalled because they believe that those offices still need the service of the vehicles.   (FREEMAN NEWS)