WHAT vehicle scandal, asked Gov. Aris C. Aumentado as he denied any involvement in a “vehicle scandal” as alleged by provincial Board Member Vierna Mae “Mimi” Boniel, according to a press statement of the provincial Capitol.
Boniel filed in June 2024 a case against the governor and the late Vice Gov. Dionisio Victor A. Balite before the Ombudsman for technical malversation and misconduct, according to the press statement of the governor’s office.
When senior board member Tita V. Baja assumed as the vice-governor vice Balite, Boniel was given a brand new Navara pick-up for her service vehicle.
But she was not issued the said vehicle while Balite was still the vice-governor since the said vehicle was allegedly used by the Office of the Governor.
The acquisition of 14 brand new pick-up type service vehicles worth P24 million for Sangguniang Panlalawigan took place under then Vice-Gov. Rene L. Relampagos and their purchase pushed through under the late Balite.
But unfortunately, Boniel was among the SP members who agreed on Relampagos proposal that when the said vehicles are acquired they would give them for other offices’ use during the June 01, 2021 regular session.
Those who favored were Board Members Ricky Masamayor, Lucille Lagunay, Aldner Damalerio, Mimi Boniel, Frans Garcia, Restituto Auxtero, Dionisio Victor Balite, Jade Bautista, Dr. Elpidio Bonita and ex-officio members — Liga ng mga Barangay president Dr. Romulo Cepedoza, Sangguniang Kabataan president Victor Bolos and Phil Councilors League-Bohol chapter president Jescelo Adiong, the brother-in-law of Relampagos.
Except for the late Board Member Elpidio M. Jala, who was visibly absent during the June 1, 2021 session, all of the BMs gave their nod to vice-governor’s proposal thru “nominal voting” by which each expressed their respective sentiment over the issue of the vehicle procurement and acquisition.
Relampagos took turn in expressing his sentiments and thus proposed to give the said vehicles to the offices, like Provincial Engineering Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and others.
“We, the SP, want to make a statement that we are not insensitive. We always do what is best for our people. We are not saying, however, that the SP does not need good and reliable service vehicles. However, we are giving up the privilege of using the said vehicles to offices that like us give services to our people in the frontlines. This will hopefully optimize the rendering of services to our good people of Bohol. Our job and responsibility as SP members are not just to attend sessions and committee meetings in the Provincial Capitol, but require us to visit the barangays and our constituents in far-flung areas so that we actually know what’s happening on the ground. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, in his counter-affidavit, Aumentado explained that he merely asked Balite if he could temporarily borrow an available motor vehicle for the use of his office to which Balite approved.
Lending equipment or motor vehicles for the use of another government office is a common practice in all levels of the bureaucracy in order not to hamper delivery of services and this is not technical malversation due to its temporary nature, Aumentado pointed out.
Aumentado added that it is the vice governor who has authority in the assignment of vehicles purchased for the legislative department. The vehicle he borrowed was not yet specifically assigned to Boniel when Balite allowed its temporary use by the Governor’s Office.
The complaint, however, is already moot and academic because record shows Boniel was already assigned one of the 4×4 pick-ups after Vice Gov. Tita Baja assumed office.
Boniel also alleged that ever since she demanded to have her vehicle, her office had been subjected to subtle forms of harassments like non-renewal of job order workers assigned to her and withholding of Provincial Development Investment Program (PDIP) and financial donations allocated for her office as board member.
Aumentado countered that renewal of job order workers is not automatic but needs justification and valid grounds.
The Governor also said that in the budget of the provincial government, there is no PDIP and financial donations allocated for each board member. These items are lodged in the executive department. (rvo)
