| THE OBSERVER | By Glenn Vidal Beup |

A couple of months ago, a van owned by the city government of Roxas was spotted by a reliable source along Bolilao right across SM City Iloilo.

The Toyota van was easily identified since its plate number bears a signage that it is owned by the city government of Roxas. There’s nothing wrong in using a government vehicle as long as it is utilized for official business transaction even it is beyond office hours.

What made the situation worse was that the van was glaringly parked right in front of a very popular KTV Bar- Sandpiper! A top city official together with a city councilor and some of their trusted aides went inside the bar for a drinking spree. The happening, according to my source lasted up to wee hours in the morning.

Sandpiper is a very popular haven of businessmen and politicians. Anybody can enjoy the luxury of the private rooms with enticing beautiful guest relation officers (GRO) ready to pamper their clients. Politicians who frequent the bar should avoid a public display of arrogance by using government property for their whims and caprices much more if it’s an unofficial business.

There nothing wrong in hanging out with friends inside the bars.

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The incident should serve as a lesson to all government officials who normally go to Iloilo City for fun. The people of Iloilo are so vigilant that even the taxi and jeepney drivers have access to all radio stations and print media where they can immediately text and relay vital information like the misuse of a government vehicle.

 

Who do you think informed the media when former board member Fritz Cruz-Am was caught entering a motel in Iloilo City using a government vehicle owned by the provincial government a couple of years ago? A taxi driver! Makahuluya!

I wanted to be fair with my write up with the members of the city council of Roxas City as the people and all the tax payers might speculate wrongly against any member of the city council if I will not divulge the name of this council member. Watch out in my next column!

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The Office of the Ombudsman is so strict in its campaign against the use of government vehicles. There is a prescribed format now that is being used by government offices which the LGU should likewise follow. The new form should be properly filled up and the driver should indicate the number of passenger/passenger including their names and the nature of business and purpose of their travel.

Persons whose names are not included in the manifesto are strictly prohibited from riding the vehicle or else, the head of the concerned department is administratively liable! Hitchhikers are not also allowed under the prescribed format. Klaro!

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The 3rd Vidal clan reunion was a great success. Hundreds of family members attended the said activity. Thanks to this year’s host - the clan of the late Bernardino Vidal, Sr. and the late Aprhodite Badana Vidal. To all the benefactors, family members and friends who contributed a lot in making the reunion a very successful one, thank you so much! See you again next year!*