The Assistant Ombudsman for the Visayas has reiterated her warning against the use of government vehicles without trip tickets.
Virginia Santiago made the warning during a public forum on accountability last Tuesday, which was initiated by the Liga ng mga Barangay in Dumaguete headed by Councilor Albert Aquino.
Santiago said she personally witnessed the blatant violation of the anti-graft law, where a barangay multi-cab was used to fetch children of a barangay official of Dumaguete City although she refused to identify the multi-cab while conducting her own investigation on the incident.
In her lecture, Santiago stressed that she will not hesitate to file the necessary charges against erring public officials.
She clarified that trip tickets are required in using government vehicles even on Sundays and holidays in line with the policy on judicious allocation and utilization of government resources as well as in energy conservation efforts under Oplan Red Plate of Administrative Order 239.
Santiago was informed there are barangays in the province who use their multi-cabs during a flea market either in Bais City or in Malatapay, Zamboanguita.
Santiago also said barangay officials should also not to affix their signatures on any form of solicitation either for their fiesta or sports activities in the barangay, adding that this is a violation of the anti-graft law.
Solicitation letters are commonly issued by barangay officials in Dumaguete during fiestas, due to lack of funds for their fiesta or sports activities.
She suggested that barangay officials may designate a private group which will do the solicitation for the barangay activities to avoid facing graft charges. (PNA/Juancho Gallarde)