Ombudsman Iloilo welcomes tipster’s report, explains late night sighting of office vehicle
The ‘Oplan Red Plate’ led by the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas – Iloilo Field Office has certainly made its mark to the community.
Aimed at preventing further mis-use of government vehicles, “hotlines” have since been set up so the public may send tips of potential violators. Last week had a concerned citizen take the campaign to heart.
This, as Bombo Radyo Iloilo, an Ombudsman media partner, was told of one sighting, backed with a picture taken from a mobile phone and data needed.
Subject of the unknown tipster’s sighting was no less than the service vehicle of the Office of the Ombusdman. Time was placed at about 11 p.m. of September 10th and place was Cabatuan, Iloilo.
The News Today (TNT) got hold of Bombo Radyo’s report and in a verification made, got the confirmation of the Cabatuan-sighting.
Yes, the Ombudsman vehicle was indeed there as reported. Yet though 11 p.m. was way beyond office hours, it was there on official use.
“This is to clarify the issue regarding our service vehicle. If you remember, we had a strategic planning last September 10 and 3rd Anniversary Celebration September 11. The vehicle was used by Deputy Ombudsman (Pelagio) Apostol when he went home to the house of his in-laws in Cabatuan. He normally stays there instead of a hotel,” Evangeline Nuñal, Associate Graft Investigation Officer explained.
To note, one of the main issues on mis-use of government vehicles focuses on the “trip tickets.” TNT in a follow-up learned that in Iloilo alone covering the province, city and Iloilo towns, at least P50 million in government money is spent yearly for gasoline, oil and lubricant expenses.
No trip tickets meant that the travel is unofficial and irregular thus government money spent here is clear wastage of government funds.
Such was not the case with the Ombudsman use of its service vehicle as sighted, Nuñal assured.
“The trip is official and we have properly accomplished trip ticket. The Ombudsman is not exempted from the law and so we encourage people to report whenever they feel that the law is being violated especially by this Office. We always welcome feedbacks from the public,” she said. “Our trip ticket is open for scrutiny by the public. I hope I have clarified the issue. Thank you for giving us the chance to explain our side.”