PHOTOS of a group riding a Cebu City Government-owned vehicle along the South Road Properties have caught social media attention for alleged private use last Sunday, September 4.
The photos have gone viral since it was first uploaded by Inayawan village chief Lotlot Ignacio-Soon's husband on Facebook.
The City-owned vehicle had the name of Barangay Sirao, to which it was previously issued, plastered on its wind shield.
Sirao barangay captain Felix Limotan, however, denied having any involvement on the alleged "joyriding" incident.
He said since returning the vehicle last May as per directives of then acting mayor Margarita Osmena for inventory, it was never given back to him. Instead, it was handed to barangay councilor Flaviano Gabunada, who reportedly used the vehicle last Sunday.
Gabunada is a known Bando Osmena Pundok Kauswagan ally in the area.
Limotan, on the other hand, is identified with Team Rama.
Limotan also alleged that Gabunada has not visited his office to ask for trip tickets for some time now.
"The vehicle is not even parked in the barangay hall, but in his house," he said.
But Jannen Arda Gabunada, daughter of the village councilor, said through a private message sent to Soon's husband, a screenshot of which was posted on Facebook, that her father did not use the vehicle for "mere personal activity."
"They went to Talisay to help a resident to transfer her things to Barangay Sirao because the said resident wanted to transfer her residency in Barangay Sirao," she said.
Limotan said although this violates the law, he has no plans on filing complaint whatsoever to avoid conflict. (RTF/SunStar Cebu/Sunnex)