AN emergency medical response has saved a village treasurer in Cebu City from administrative sanction by the anti-graft office over the proper use of government-owned vehicles.
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas dismissed the complaint for misconduct filed against Guba Barangay Treasuer Gay Langumis.
Apart from the fact that it was not Langumis but barangay tanod Reynaldo Romano who used the government vehicle, the car was used to transport a fainting woman to the hospital
“This may be considered a case of emergency, which exempts the situation from trip ticket requirement,” said Maria Corazon Vergara-Naraja, graft investigation and prosecution officer, in her decision.
The case stemmed from complaint filed by the ombudsman’s Field Investigating Office accusing Langumis of the unauthorized use of a government vehicle.
Jess Vincent dela Pena, graft investigation and prosecution officer l, said he saw a government vehicle (SKK-850) near Marco Polo Plaza Hotel last May 18, 2014, a Sunday.
The probe office traced the vehicle, a Kia multi-purpose van, to Barangay Suba and was acknowledged by Langumis.
Replying to charges, Langumis said she was not aware on the use of the vehicle last May 18, 2014.
Langumis said that their tanod was using the vehicle when an anti-graft office investigator saw it park near the hotel.
Romano, the tanod, said he noticed people milling around a certain Paulina Borres, who was fainting at that moment.
He rushed Borres to the hospital where she was given medical treatment.
In the decision, graft investigator Naraja said it was Romano, not Langumis who used the vehicle to rush Borres to the hospital.
“Romano’s admission and his narration of the circumstances surrounding the questioned travel deserves credence in the absence of any controversial evidence,” said Naraja.
