CEBU, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas has started investigating the possible irregularity in the renting out of the mini bus owned by Barangay Sambag I that figured in a tragic accident in barangay Busay last week.
Assistant Ombudsman Virginia Palanca Santiago said they have ordered barangay captain Jerry Guardo to submit all the necessary documents relative to the mini bus that fell into a ravine in sitio Maaslom, Busay last week claiming two lives and injuring several others.
Santiago said they have asked Guardo to submit a copy of the registration of the vehicle, where it was issued, how long it has been rented out and the duplicate copies of the official receipts for its rentals.
She explained they are asking these documents to assess if there is a need to require Guardo and other barangay officials to explain.
The anti-graft office docketed a fact-finding investigation after Santiago learned that the mini bus was rented out by the barangay to the Legion of Mary to be used to carry its members to a beach excursion when the accident happened.
The vehicle fell into a 30-meter deep ravine after the driver lost control of the vehicle when its brakes exploded while negotiating downhill from Barangay Babag II.
Two people, including an eight-year-old boy, died during the accident while the rest of the 51 passengers suffered injuries and brought to the different hospitals in the city by the responding members of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation.
The bus driver, Rufino Secretaria, was already charged with reckless imprudence resulting to double homicide over the death of Jesan Glenego and Margie Mabini. — Fred P. Languido/WAB (THE FREEMAN)