Ombudsman warns public execs vs using gov’t gas for private vehicles

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday warned public officials against using gas allocations meant for government vehicles for their own private cars, saying that a local official was recently dismissed from her post for such a violation.

“Acts like this destroy the image of the government,” Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a statement. “These kinds of actions, including the siphoning of gasoline, refueling of non-government vehicles and faking of receipts, will not be ignored by the agency.”

It added that government officials found guilty of similar acts “will face the harshest penalty under the law.”

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In issuing the warning, the Ombudsman cited the case of Bohol provincial board member Vierna Mae Boniel-Maglasang who was recently dismissed over two counts of serious dishonesty.

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READ: Ombudsman finds former Bohol exec guilty of ‘serious dishonesty’

It said the case stemmed from a complaint filed by Bohol Third District Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite, who accused Boniel-Maglasang of using 100 liters of gasoline allocated for government vehicles for private cars.

Expected behavior

In its decision, the Ombudsman said the act committed by Boniel-Maglasang “clearly demonstrates intent to circumvent established accounting and auditing rules which shows an intent to commit material gain, graft and corruption.”

It pointed out that a public official “is expected to exhibit the highest degree of honesty and accountability, and lack of integrity warrants administrative sanction.”

As penalty, the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal of Boniel-Maglasang from service, her perpetual disqualification from holding public office, including the cancellation of her eligibility and forfeiture of retirement benefits. /cb