SP to invite Bermejo to shed light on acquisition of cars
ROXAS CITY – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), during its regular session yesterday approved a resolution inviting City Mayor Vicente Bermejo to shed light on the acquisition of luxury cars during his term as governor of Capiz.
Board Member Ricky Martin moved the resolution and this was supported by his colleagues.
It was learned that two Pajero and one Safari car were purchased by Bermejo. Bermejo uses one Pajero and one Safari, and that he bought the cars while he was city mayor in 2007 while one Pajero was carried by Panay Mayor Dante Bermejo, former provincial administrator, when the latter was elected mayor of the said town.
Earlier, newly installed Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) head Eduardo “Boy” Apaap conducted an inventory of all the properties owned by the province and the three cars were on the list.
The PGSO head said that he wanted to regain the said cars because he is accountable for them, being the custodian of the province’s properties.
On the other hand, Bermejo clarified during his coffee talk with the local media last Wednesday that the two Pajeros were already registered in the name of the city government after being requested by Former City Councilor Mark Ortiz and City Councilor Ramon “Monchit” Albar.
According to him, he purchased the Pajero cars under the name of the city government because he had an assurance that he was to become city mayor.
Bermejo admitted that the problem is with the Safari which is still owned by the province. However, he said that he is willing to purchase it because of its ‘sentimental value’, being the vehicle he used while he was governor.
He said that the cars should no longer be an issue because he has unclaimed terminal leave in the province amounting to P750,000.00 and it could be offsted from the value of the Safari that has an estimated price value of P200,000.00.
The city mayor also said that the Commission on Audit (COA) approved the transfer of ownership from the provincial government to the city and Panay government units.
