2 in fuel anomaly advised not to report for work

CEBU, Philippines — Two job order (JO) employees allegedly involved in the fuel pilferage at the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) were advised to refrain from reporting for work pending the result of the investigation over the anomalies.

Following the order to investigate the alleged pilferage of fuel within the CDRRMO, Acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia told reporters yesterday, June 24, 2024, that he already received the initial report.

“Right now, there are already two employees who have been involved, supposedly, kay di pa man ni final. We always have to say allegedly, we have to be politically correct because naa man na silay rights to remain innocent until proven guilty otherwise,” stressed Garcia, adding that the names will also not be released to the public until the investigation is over.

Pending the release of the final result, Garcia said these two employees were told to temporarily refrain from reporting for duty.

On the other hand, Garcia said that while the initial report has been given to him, the conclusion of the said investigation may take longer than usual as it would have to go through the legal and due process.

As one of these processes, Garcia said he will be calling on a clarificatory hearing to assess all affidavits that will have to be taken into account and consideration.

The allegations on fuel pilferage stemmed from nine complainants, composed of current and former CDRRMO employees, who manifested their affidavits before the office of Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover claiming that there have been alleged anomalies inside the CDRRMO since the height of the pandemic.

Among those allegations was the stealing of the government-allocated fuel to be used for personal use.

With this expose, Garcia then revoked all allocation for the fuels of the government-issued vehicles with an exemption for the emergency vehicles, namely ambulances, fire response vehicles, police patrol cars, and garbage cars.

Garcia, however, said that just like his order to revoke all biometric exemptions, those who desire for exemption for fuel, may apply anew by writing a letter of justification on why they should be granted such exemptions.

In line with this, Garcia also assured that the employees who filed their affidavits will not be singled out and will remain on their jobs as long as they abide by the ethical standards of their jobs.

“They are safe. For as long as wala silay labot, walay ebidensya against them, we will of course, ipadayon nato ang ilang kuan (employment),” said Garcia.

“Kay sila man ang reklamante, ato sad silang protektahan, sila may whistleblowers, they know what’s happening so padayon ra gihapon atong panerbisyo,” he added.

As for the applications for revocation exemptions, Garcia said they have now received numerous applications and are continuously reviewing them. — (FREEMAN)