Ex-mayor penalized for using government vehicle

MANILA, Philippines - A former town mayor in Leyte was found guilty of simple misconduct for using a government vehicle during a family trip.

The Office of the Ombudsman said Agustin Pedrano and administrative aide Ramelito Parac, who drove the Nissan Urvan, were ordered suspended for one month and one day.

The ombudsman said the penalty is convertible to the respondents’ salary for one month and one day if they are no longer in office.

Members of Oplan Red Plate Task Force in Ormoc City said Pedrano, his wife and other family members were in the vehicle, and Parac failed to present a copy of the trip ticket when it was pulled over on Aug. 16, 2013. 

In his defense, Pedrano said they used the government vehicle because he experienced difficulty breathing and it was the “fastest mode of transportation.”  

However, the ombudsman said Pedrano failed to  establish that the trip was an emergency. 

“No evidence was submitted showing...(Pedrano) had himself checked by a medical doctor in Ormoc City,” the court said.

The ombudsman said employees using government vehicles should accomplish a trip ticket in two copies stating the name of the driver, purpose and destination of the travel as provided under Commission on Audit Circular 75-6. A copy of the trip ticket should be surrendered to the guard on duty of the motorpool or person in charge of the vehicle and the other copy retained by the driver.