Dad denies allegations of a ‘concerned citizen’

CEBU City Councilor Edgardo Labella denied allegations that he is using three motorcycles impounded by the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) to make his rounds in the city’s barangays in preparation for next year’s elections.

“To say that they are used for my campaign is ridiculous. It’s not even campaign period yet,” Labella said.

He said members of his staff will use the motorcycles to run errands in line with his job.

Reason

“It is for the mobility of my staff. Being a member of the minority bloc of the council, you are considered a member of all the committees there and I’m just doing my share, my job,” he said.

However, Labella said they’ve yet to use the motorcycles, as these haven’t been registered.

He said Citom released the motorcycles to his office last month.

Labella said he requested for the motorcycles on the assumption that these have been impounded for more than six months.

Asked about the matter, Citom Chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said the motorcycles already went through the process of forfeiture since the General Services Office (GSO) released these to Labella.

The Office of the Vice Mayor yesterday gave the media a copy of a letter from a “concerned citizen,” which accused Labella of illegally using the three impounded motorcycles.

The letter also said the motorcycles have not been with Citom for more than six months.

City Ordinance 801

Under City Ordinance 801, or the Cebu City Traffic Code, impounded vehicles can only be forfeited in favor of the City Government after six months.

The chief of police should also issue a certification to this effect. The certification is submitted to the City Council for resolution, authorizing the GSO to publish the forfeiture proceedings.

“Therefore, the units being used by Labella cannot be touched as they are still owned by their respective owners. Citom is also entrusted to take care of the units and as such is responsible for them,” the letter said.

Labella is running for vice mayor with Mayor Michael Rama under Team Rama in next year’s elections. He will be up against Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, who is the runningmate of Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district) of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.