2 months after inventory, Team Rama ally asks CH: Where’s our vehicle?

OFFICIALS of Barangay San Roque sought the help of Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella for the release of their City Hall-issued vehicles that were earlier recalled for an inventory.

The call for help came after Mayor Tomas Osmeña issued a memorandum ordering the General Services Office (GSO) not to release City-owned vehicles to all officials, department heads or personnel without his written consent or authority.

“Otherwise, you will be charged civilly, criminally and administratively,” the mayor said in his memorandum addressed to GSO chief Ronald Malacora.

The memorandum was signed by Osmeña on July 21, two days before he left for a vacation in Japan.

In a letter he sent to Labella last Tues- day, San Roque Barangay Captain Cyrus Lindog lamented that their barangay vehicles were never returned to them after these were recalled for an inventory last May, as ordered by then acting mayor Margarita Osmeña.

“We have been obedient enough to turn over our vehicles, hoping it will be given back to us in due time. But up to now, after sending a letter request, our request still has no feedback nor given enough priority,” he said.

Recently, Lindog said they noticed a government vehicle being used by a barangay councilor who is a known supporter of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK). He alleged that the vehicle is being used for the official’s personal needs.

“We can conclude that due to politi- cal grievances that we really cannot have those vehicles back,” he added.

Lindog sought Labella’s help, saying the barangay badly needs the vehicles for their daily operations.

In an interview yesterday, Labella said that he will look into the concern of San Roque barangay officials, who are allies of Team Rama.

Malacora, in a separate interview, said his office did not receive any letter request for vehicles from villages identified with Rama.

When asked how many vehicles have so far been returned to the barangays, he said there are 30 of them.

Of the number, 14 vehicles were issued to the barangay captains allied with BOPK while the other 16 vehicles were issued to the barangay councilors allied with BOPK in the other barangays.

If GSO will receive a request for vehicle from the Team Rama allies, Malacora said he will heed the mayor’s order and will have to ask clearance and approval from him first.