'Short-timing' driver slapped with 60-day suspension
Iloilo -- Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas, Sr. wasted no time in punishing the driver of the Provincial Treasurer's Office who allegedly used their office vehicle in checking in at a motel in Molo district.
Tupas, on Friday ordered the suspension of Richard Villanueva for 60 days pending the investigation of his case.
A fact-finding committee headed by Provincial Legal Officer Salvador Cabaluna was tasked to conduct the investigation.
Reportedly, Villanueva asked for another five days within which to explain but Tupas did not heed his request.
Members of the local media reported having seen Villanueva rush out of the motel on board a red Mitsubishi Adventure bearing the plate number SGA 448 around 10:45 Monday night last week.
He was then followed to the Provincial Capitol, where he parked the said vehicle.
Villanueva denied over Aksyon Radyo-Iloilo that he checked in at the motel along with a female companion.
He explained that he ferried Provincial Treasurer Melba Sullivan to Mandurriao, then went back to the Capitol passing through the Molo district.
It was learned that Villanueva had an unsigned trip ticket. Capitol regulations prohibit the use of government vehicles without valid trip tickets.
Tupas said Villanueva's case should serve as a stern warning to all provincial government officials and drivers not to use provincial vehicles for personal purposes.