BOAC, Marinduque – Facebook user Rhia Muhi claimed that she saw a government vehicle with the official logo of the province of Marinduque with marked “For Official Use Only” parked in front of Thai Massage Parlor in BF Resort, Las Pinas City around 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 3.
It was discovered that the said government vehicle is assigned to Sangguniang Panlalawigan Board Member John Pelaez.
In an inquiry sent by Marinduque News to Bokal Pelaez, he clarified the matter saying, “Andoon ako sa Cholate Kopi Shop sa tapat having a meeting with a sponsor para sa request ng mga fishermen sa Lupac. Diyan kami pina-park dahil wala namang nakapark doon.”
Ombudsman warns on use of gov’t vehicles
The Ombudsman of the Philippines continuously reminded through a statement that government officials and employees should refrain from using their service vehicles in their out-of-town vacations.
The erring public servants and those without trip tickets might be considered liable under various laws, including Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), R.A. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines, Commission on Audit (COA) circulars, Government Accounting and Auditing Manual, and other executive issuances.
Under COA rules, the use of government vehicles is only allowed for official business and should be authorized by a “trip ticket.” The ticket contains the destination, purpose and duration of travel. – with report from Allan Macapugay, Marinduquenews.com