Tomas denies issuing ambulance to civilian

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has denied issuing city-owned ambulance to the wife of suspended Councilor Jerry Guardo, who recently pledged allegiance to Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

Osmeña said he did not sign any document issuing government property under the name of Ailien Guardo who was designated point person of the Barangay Mayor’s Office in Sambag I.

The mayor issued the clarification after Sambag I barangay chairman Lemar Alcover filed an administrative complaint against him, Guardo and three other BOPK councilors before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Other respondents are Councilors Mary Ann Delos Santos, Eugenio Gabuya Jr. and Sisinio Andales. Alcover also included in his complaint General Services Office head Ronaldo Malacora and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia.

Alcover accused them of malversation of public funds or property and anti-graft and corrupt practices act for issuing government ambulance to a civilian.

Osmeña said there was no truth to the allegation that the issuance of the ambulance was a reward to the Guardos for joining BOPK.

“What is the reward? Giving her an ambulance? It’s not true …What’s the reward? There’s no reward,” Osmeña said.

The mayor, however, said the councilor’s wife serves as adviser to the barangay being the head of the BMO.

Osmeña believes that the Team Rama Panaghiusa was behind the filing of the complaint.

Bañacia said the memorandum receipt is under his name and was not transferred to the name of Guardo’s wife.

 “It was not just Sambag 1 nga ang MR was under my name but also sa Kamputhaw, Tisa, Talamban, diri sa city hall and sa Central Command Center,” he added.

He said the vehicles are his liability. Bañacia explained that what happened last April 5 was just a ceremonial turnover. (FREEMAN)