Friday, June 20, 2008 2 Capitol execs reprimanded By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
TWO Capitol heads got reprimanded by the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for alleged improper use of service vehicles detailed at their respective offices.
As per the memoranda issued by the Ombudsman, Provincial Human Resource Office 5 Virginia Parreño and Recreation and Welfare Services Officer 5 Ellen Vazquez were told to explain questionable usage of Capitol vehicles assigned to their offices.
The Ombudsman's reprimand order came as Capitol is implementing austerity measures as per instruction of Governor Isidro Zayco for the department heads and employees to limit the use of vehicles and fuel, electricity, water, office supplies, and even traveling and seminar expenses.
Parreño and Vasquez on Thursday confirmed to Sun.Star Bacolod that they have received the Ombudsman's memoranda, which is anchored on the complaints filed by concerned citizens for their alleged "personal" use of government vehicles.
The complaints against Parreño said that her husband is the one using the red Isuzu Highlander issued to the Human Resource Office every time he goes to Burgos public market almost every morning, as well as in sending their kids to school.
For Vazquez, the Ombudsman wants her to explain her use of the Nissan Urban van assigned for Mambukal Resort, which is always sighted in Bacolod even on Saturdays and Sundays.
Asked for comments and explanations, Parreño said she's still at the middle of a meeting (Wednesday afternoon), adding that: "I was not told to explain but (was) only advised to limit the use of the vehicle assigned to me."
Vazquez, on the other hand, said the memorandum for her was already forwarded to the office of lawyer Japhet Masculino, the head of the province's Economic Enterprise and Development Department (Eedd), for the latter's disposition.
Vazquez, being the head of the Mambukal Resort Office, is under the Eedd.
"It will be Atty. Masculino who will answer regarding the questionable usage of our Nissan Urban van, which was the subject of the Ombudsman's memorandum," she added.
Masculino is on leave and is reportedly in Cotabato City to attend the burial of his relative. He cannot be reached for comment as of this writing Thursday.
