Sanchez blinks, to return vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. flipped from his earlier stand not to return the six vehicles assigned at his office which have been recalled by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia allegedly for inventory purposes.

Sanchez yesterday changed his mind and decided to return the vehicles except for the mini ambulance assigned in Tuburan town. Sanchez said he is willing to give up the Isuzu Fuego, which is currently used by his back-up security, a multi-cab and three motorcycles but not the mini ambulance.

According to the vice governor, the mini ambulance is very much needed in Tuburan and that everybody in the town, regardless of whose political supporters they are, are being served by the vehicle.

Sanchez said he will fight to retain the mini-ambulance even if he has to answer charges in court.

“Ang akoang huna-huna kun kana lang ang ilaha, ang kanang mga behikulo gyud tan-aw nako nga di man kaayo kondisyon like for example ang multi-cab nga atong gipagamit diri sa Legislative Gavel sige man siya og kadaut i-uli na lang na nako, kanang mga motor, ug motor lang ug ilang ikalipay hala kuhaa lang na ninyo ang motor,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez also offered to resign if Garcia will do the same, if only to ensure that the delivery of the basic services to the people will not be hampered by their political bickering.

Sanchez earlier received a memorandum signed by provincial administrator Eduardo Habin asking him to turn over the vehicles issued to his office because they will be conducting inventory.

The move was described by Sanchez as another form of harassment by the governor who he has been at odds after he bolted out from One Cebu Party.

Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda denied that the move was meant to harass the vice governor. According to Sepulveda, Sanchez may retain the vehicles, especially the mini-ambulance if he wants to. But, he has to turn it over first for inventory then make a formal request to the governor and justify why he wanted to keep it under his office.

Sepulveda added that if Sanchez thinks that the mini-ambulance is very needed in Tuburan he can buy his own using the budget under the office of the vice governor.

“Kun makagasto siya og more than nine hundred thousand pesos sa pag-open og road nga way klaro nganong dili man siya kapalit og ambulansiya,” Sepulveda said over dyLA.

Sepulveda also dismissed Sanchez’s call that they, Sanchez and Garcia, will resign together.

“Binata man na. Kung gusto ka Gorio nga mo-resign ikaw lang,” Sepulveda said.

He assured that delivery of the basic services to the people are not hampered by the exchanges of accusations between the governor and the vice governor. —THE FREEMAN