Probe ordered on illegal use of 152 gov’t vehicles

As part of its drive against the illegal use of government vehicles, the Ombudsman has ordered the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to identify the agencies whose vehicles were reportedly being used in unofficial functions.

According to Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni, head of the Ombudsman’s "Task Force Red Plate," just barely a week into the drive, their office had recorded a total of 152 license plates belonging to government vehicles reportedly used illegally.

Jalandoni said the LTO is now being asked to identify the agencies to which the said vehicles were issued.

"The task force will then issue a subpoena against the heads of concerned agencies," Jalandoni said.

He added that officials of the said agencies, if found guilty of violating the law on the official use of government vehicles, may face charges of misconduct with penalty ranging from suspension to dismissal from service.

Just recently, the Ombudsman slapped a six-month suspension without pay on Mariano Martinez, General Manager of the Cebu Ports Authority (CPA), after he was found to have used official CPA vehicles in transporting his daughter to and from school.

CPA drivers, the Ombudsman added, also drive Martinez’s daughter to and from school.

Jalandoni reminded those employed in government that under Section 361 (d) of the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual (GAAM), the use of government vehicles for unofficial business is prohibited.

The law particularly bars "the use of government vehicles on Sundays, legal holidays, out of regular office hours or outside the route of the officials or employees authorized to use them."

Aside from this, Jalandoni said the law strictly prohibits the use of government vehicles for private social functions and "the use thereof by the spouses, children, relatives, friends, etc."

Jalandoni also encourages the public to support the program against the illegal use of government vehicles by reporting suspected violators to the task force at tel. nos. 426-7750, 926-9765, and 926-9032 loc. 411.