Solons warn vs illegal use of public vehicle

Monday, 04 May 2009

The heads of various departments and local government units (LGUs) should strengthen government’s campaign against the illegal use of public vehicles, lawmakers urged yesterday. Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara and Citizens Battle Against Corruption Rep.  Joel Villanueva made the reaction after an inter-agency task force headed by the Office of the Ombudsman confiscated 110 government vehicles in Western Visayas for the supposed improper use of cars. Angara explained government leaders can strongly influence their subordinates if they are the ones strongly and strictly complying with the rules in proper use of government-owned vehicles. “As leaders, there is a great influence that they can bring to their people.  They can help the campaign of government against the personal use of vehicles if they are setting and leading by example,” said Angara. For his part, Villanueva said “government resources must not be used to advance their (public officials and employees) personal interests as their basic mandate is to serve.” Assistant Ombudsman-Visayas Virginia Palanca-Santiago said those vehicles seized were assigned to provincial board members, mayors and other local government units, the Armed Forces, agencies, hospitals, universities and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS). The Ombudsman official said most common violations involved government vehicles used to go to shopping malls and restaurants and having no “trip tickets.” Under COA rules, the use of government vehicles was only allowed for official business and should be authorized by a “trip ticket.” The ticket contains the destination, purpose and duration of travel. It will be recalled that all government vehicles should also be clearly marked with the name and location of the office, corporation and agency. The rules bar the use of the vehicles for personal use of officials and their families or friends including bringing their spouse or children to office and school. SOURCE: PEOPLE'S TONIGHT By Ryan Ponce Pacpaco, MAY 4, 2009

Last Updated ( Monday, 04 May 2009 )

 

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