LP to file case on use of govt cars

CEBU, Philippines - The use of government vehicles during the prayer rally last Wednesday by One Cebu Party is among the subjects of the 16 criminal and administrative charges that the Liberal Party is planning to file against suspended Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and others.

LP Cebu spokesperson, lawyer Democrito Barcenas, yesterday said that using government vehicles such as the tourist buses given by the Provincial Government is an abuse of power and malversation.

“Illegal kana kay ang kanang mga buses sa Kapitolyo, ang tag iya ana ang katawhan, dili ang tag-iya ana dili si Gwendolyn, dili ang mga mayor,” Barcenas said. (The buses are owned by the people, not by Gwen and not by the mayors.)

Barcenas said he himself saw the government vehicles by supporters of Garcia during the rally which started from Fuente Rotunda Circle and marched to the Provincial Capitol Building.

He clarified that they are still studying carefully the filing of the charges as they are also asking permission from their party leaders from Manila.

“Dili man ta magpataka og file kay dili maayo na sa impression sa mga tawo nga mura’g nanggukod ka lang pataka ka’g file,” Barcenas said. (We want to be careful in filing cases lest we be misconstrued as going after our opponents.)

Garcia for her part said the move “exposes a pattern of how LP wishes to play this game not in a fair and justified manner but in a manner by which they would wish to abuse the political clout that they have.”

Garcia said that the LP should better know that the buses were properly covered with trip tickets.

 She also stressed that no ordinance yet has been passed that prohibits barangay officials and other people from towns to come to Cebu City or to the Capitol because they have businesses of their own to do.

“We are not that type to grand stand, we just do our work,” Garcia added.

Earlier report said that the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas will look into the alleged use of government-owned vehicles in transporting supporters of One Cebu party from the towns to Fuente Osmeña to attend the prayer rally last Wednesday.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said they can use media reports to start an investigation but they need documents and witnesses. (FREEMAN)