Capitol gives out cars week before polls

CEBU, Philippines — A week before election day yesterday, the Cebu provincial government distributed coasters to seven local government units and 24 patrol cars to police stations.

It gave the coasters to Cordova, Ronda, Poro, Tabogon, Ginatilan, Tudela, and San Fernando and turned the patrol cars over to the Provincial Police Office.

According to the Provincial General Services Office, Capitol used P46 million for the purchase of the vehicles. Of this amount, P25.1 million was used to buy the patrol cars at P1.048 million each, while P20.9 million was used to buy the coasters at over P2.9 million each.

Provincial legal officer Orvi Ortega said there is nothing political in the purchase of the vehicles and Capitol does not expect anything in return from the recipients.

Cordova town, for one, he said, is not an ally of Governor Hilario Davide. The governor skipped the turnover ceremonies so to avoid being misconstrued as campaigning.

Provincial Police Director Manuel Abrugena said the patrol cars will surely help the police in ensuring peace and order in the province this election season, considering the size of the area that they need to secure.

He said that the police will remain neutral and will avoid interfering in political activities. (FREEMAN)