Nalzaro: Apostol’s case

THE Commission on Audit (COA) has ordered Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol to pay for the Isuzu Crosswind vehicle that was issued to him but was stolen. This happened while he was still with the Ombudsman Central Office. The amount involved, (93,253, is only a fraction, however, of the vehicle's cost not shouldered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which provides insurance coverage for government assets.

In his motion for reconsideration, Apostol said the vehicle was stolen when he parked it outside his residence. He was residing, then, in a house without a garage. Apostol claimed he could not afford to live a gated residence.

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He also said that the vehicle was stolen to frighten and threaten him because he handled many sensitive cases. But how sure is he that the incident had something to do with his work? I hope the vehicle was really stolen because I received information that it was actually given to someone special.

Apostol's reasons for the loss of the vehicle are too flimsy. I believe he is just trying to touch the hearts of COA officials so he will be given consideration. Also, he just wants to gain public sympathy by projecting himself as one who is living a simple life.

The incident showed how he conducts himself as a public official. But the point is that the Ombudsman should be a role model for government employees and officials on the matter of protecting government properties and assets issued to them.

Note that the anti-graft office is very strict in its policy on the use of government vehicles. But in this case, Apostol was the one who lost possession of his vehicle. This is the first time I heard of a government vehicle being carnapped.

If COA accepts Apostol's plea, it will send a wrong signal to other public officials. What if the one facing the same case before the Ombudsman is another public official, do you think Apostol would not hold him liable for it?

COA will also lose its integrity and credibility, and even its moral ascendancy, if it fails to discipline erring and corrupt public officials and employees like Apostol. He should not be given special treatment and should be punished.

By the way, how true is the information I received that Apostol goes home to Manila every weekend. If this true, where is he getting money for his fare? Just asking.

(bobby@sunstar.com.ph/ bgnalzaro@gmanetwork.com)