THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered on Monday the suspension for one month and one day of Matag-ob Mayor Agustin Pedrano Sr. of Leyte for simple misconduct.
In its decision, the Ombudsman reminded public officials that “the proper procedure for official travel using a government vehicle as provided under the Commission on Audit Circular No. 75-6 is: “the personnel must request the use of the vehicle by accomplishing a trip ticket form in two copies, stating the name of the driver, purpose and destination of the travel.
“The trip ticket must be duly approved by the official authorizing the travel; and one copy of the trip ticket shall be surrendered to the guard on-duty of the motor pool or person-in-charge of the vehicle upon departure; and the other copy to be retained by the driver. “
“Moreover, it is required that the trip ticket authorizing the use of the vehicle should be displayed on the windshield or other conspicuous place on the vehicle.”
In related developments, the Commission on Audit has called the attention of the Senate over an overstock of “obsolete” office supplies, including a toiletry item, worth about P3 million.
In its yearend report, the Commission said the Senate has an oversupply of toilet paper and insecticide spray, CoA said Monday.
In a yearend inventory, CoA said there were still 9,512 rolls of toilet paper in the stockroom, considering average monthly usage was only around 1,040 rolls or 3,120 rolls per quarter.
The Senate had 8,184 rolls of bathroom tissue at the start of calendar year of 2016 and purchased 12,672, bringing to a total to 20,856 rolls.
There were also 564 pressurized canisters of insecticide, 38,365 envelopes, 15,023 markers and 7,606 AA-size batteries.
According to CoA, the Senate had P1.4 million in excess stocks of toner cartridges at P260,749.45, air freshener at P12,808.64, AA batteries at P152,058.17, paper fasteners at P77,008.31 and toilet paper at P37,075.92.
Another P1.68 million in non-moving supplies were also audited, including toner cartridges at P898,891.23, ribbon cartridges at P167,909.78 and carbon paper at P40,395.60.
“Wastage of government assets from overstocking and obsolescence of inventories could have been prevented had procurement of supplies and materials been properly planned and periodic assessment of inventory movements been undertaken to ascertain the required quantity of items for stocking,” the report read.
The oversupply in the inventory amounted to P1.403 million.
According to the Ombudsman, “Pedrano failed to show or establish that their trip was an emergency. No evidence was submitted showing that indeed respondent Pedrano had himself checked by a medical doctor in Ormoc City.”
Pedrano’s driver, administrative aide Ramelito Parac, was also found guilty of simple misconduct.
The Ombudsman also ordered a one-month and one-day suspension on Parac.
“In case the penalty can no longer be enforced due to separation from the service of the respondents, the penalty is convertible to a fine equivalent to their salary for one month and one day,” the resolution read.
The case of simple misconduct stemmed when Pedrano used the town’s Nissan Urvan without any supporting documents.
On Aug. 26, 2013, members of the inter-agency Oplan red plate task force in Ormoc City apprehended the vehicle driven by Parac.
The mayor, along with his wife and other family members, were onboard as passengers.
Upon request of a copy of a driver’s trip ticket, Pedrano was not able to present one.
In a counteraffidavit, Pedrano claimed the Urvan was used “because it was the fastest mode of transportation that he could get” and that “it was an emergency situation as he experienced difficulty in breathing.”
But the Ombudsman rejected the mayor’s defense.