Tumulak readies raps over fuel controversy

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak is set to file charges for alleged grave abuse of authority against the chief of the city’s General Services Office for “fuel deprivation”.

Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Risk Reduction and Management Council, said yesterday he has spoken with his lawyer and found cause of action against GSO head Engr. Dionisio Gualiza.

 Tumulak accused Gualiza of denying his request for additional fuel allocation for the two city-owned ambulances without “proper basis” despite approval from Mayor Michael Rama’s executive assistant and Barangay Affairs Unit head Eduardo Rama.

 Gualiza, Tumulak said questioned Rama’s approval, which according to him “smacks of subordination and irresponsibility.”

Tumulak said Gualiza allegedly complained of his requests for additional 300 liters of gasoline for the seven ambulances and other emergency response vehicles.  However, two ambulances (SJM 840 and SKK 911) were not given supply while SKK 590 was only allotted 30 liters of fuel.

He recalled that Gualiza “mumbled with sarcasm” when his staff and the Basak Pardo Emergency Response made follow-ups.

“Ni-ingon siya sa akong staff nga kadaghan ug kadagko sa request human dala labay sa papers atubangan nila (staff),” Tumulak recalled.

Tumulak earlier confronted Gualiza and the latter reportedly said he denied the request intentionally purportedly because of a personal grudge.

“If you have personal issues with me, talk to me directly but don’t compromise public service,” Tumulak told Gualiza.

 Tumulak claimed the emergency response operations in the city have been disrupted since two weeks ago. The City Command Center receives at least 500 emergency calls a month. 

Tumulak cited Section 52 (A) (14) of the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, which defines grave abuse of authority or oppression as “grave offense punishable with suspension of six months and one day to one year for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second infraction.”

 Yesterday, acting mayor Edgardo Labella requested GSO to conduct proper liquidation and reminded the GSO chief about the importance and role of ambulances in saving lives.

“I advised Gauliza na kinahanglan there should be proper liquidation in order to determine whether or not the gasoline allotted was used for the purpose intended, reconcile the trip ticket and the number of liters of fuel allotted,” Labella said.

“Dapat mohatag ta labi na if the need arises kay di man mahimo ma prejudice ang delivery of basic services especially in an emergency situation kay sometimes a minute would spell between life and death,” he added.

Tumulak recalled earlier that the Basak Pardo Emergency Response responded to a vehicular accident over the weekend without an ambulance.

“Nagdagan ra intawon ang mga paramedics pag respond nila kay way ambulance. Maayo gani kay dili layo and dili major accident,” Tumulak said. 

Gualiza, for his part, said earlier he never refused to give fuel to Tumulak.

“Wala gyod ko mibalibad kay naay krudo ang syudad. Akong i-check kay daghan items gikan sa barangay,” Gualiza said.

Labella is set to meet with Tumulak and Gualiza to iron the issue out. – (FREEMAN)