Ombudsman finally enforces suspension of Cebu Port GM

The Ombudsman-Visayas yesterday implemented the six-month suspension on Cebu Port Authority general manager Mariano Martinez who was found guilty of using his government-issued car for taking his daughter to and from school.

Virginia Palanca-Santiago, acting deputy ombudsman for the Visayas, learned that Martinez was still reporting to his office despite the suspension order that Tanodbayan Merceditas Gutierrez issued last May.

This prompted Santiago to send her staff to serve the suspension order on Martinez, after inquiring from Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and the PPA of the reasons for non-enforcement of the Tanodbayan order.

Santiago said officials of the PPA and Department of Transportation and Communications said they decided to hold the suspension of Martinez after he filed a motion for reconsideration of his suspension.

But Santiago reminded these officials that a mere motion for reconsideration could not withhold the enforcement of the Tanodbayan's order, unless the court issues a restraining order in favor of the petitioner.

Secretary Mendoza subsequently directed the Ombudsman to carry out the suspension order of Martinez, otherwise authorities could be held liable for ignoring the order.

Santiago yesterday sent an Ombudsman graft investigator to the CPA and handed to Martinez' secretary Nympha Borromeo a copy of the suspension order.

Another copy was also sent to the Commission on Audit to ensure Martinez could not spend any government fund during his suspension period.

Martinez' suspension order was made after the Ombudsman implemented a crackdown against unauthorized use of government vehicles.

Tanodbayan Gutierrez said Martinez, as the top official of CPA, is supposed to know and comply with the regulations on the use of government vehicles, but he did not, so he must face the consequences.

In the ensuing investigation, Martinez admitted to using the government vehicle for personal use, but he tried to clarify that such had the consent of the Cebu Port Commission.

Gutierrez countered that "this Toyota Revo is a government vehicle, therefore its use must be in accordance with the regulations." - Rene U. Borromeo/RAE