Rama: “No mercy” for worker ‘illegally’ using city-owned car

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama will not give a second chance to a job order employee who was caught Saturday driving and illegally parking a city-owned vehicle near a beerhouse along Pelaez Street.

 â€œNo mercy for anyone who is so showy, coming out prominently displaying abuse of authority. It comes an embarrassment for all,” Rama said.

Had it not for the rule of law, Rama would have wanted Ceverino Cardente immediately terminated from the government service.

The mayor, who spoke before City Hall employees during the flag ceremony yesterday, said this serves as a lesson for all employees.

“We just have to be sorry that a family will be again sending into trouble. He (Cardente) should have been thinking about it before he did anything to embarrass and have his livelihood stopped as well as the family’s consumption,” Rama stressed.

Cardente was questioned by the City Legal Office yesterday where he admitted to driving the passenger-type multicab (SJM 459) beyond office hours, said city attorney Jerone Castillo.

Aside from Cardente, the city legal office is also investigating his alleged companion Arnold Lauron, Pergentino Carwana, and his superior Engr. Roel Tahum of the school board, to whom the vehicle was issued.

Castillo said they required the four to submit a letter of explanation.

“Kung naa’y finding of fault, of course matangtang jud,” said Castillo.

Cardente neither had a trip ticket nor permission to use the vehicle beyond 5 pm.

As a general rule, city-issued vehicles should be parked at the City Hall after office hours except when the driver or the custodian has an early commitment the next day.

Cardente refused to give further comments to the media except for his admission that he used the vehicle beyond office hours.

Lauron, who was initially accused of using the vehicle following the discovery of his identification card inside the vehicle, denied using it.

“Dili ako ang nag-drive adto. Nalimtan lang g’yud nako akong bag sa sud kay nisaka ko sa ibabaw nagkobra sa akong sweldo. Pagbalik nako sa ubos, wala na diha ang sakyanan,” Lauron said.

Lauron, a mason working at the City Hall for almost six years now, said he came from Barangay Labangon for a construction work and proceeded to the City Hall before 5 pm after learning that their salary was already released. Cardente allegedly drove for him.

Investigation further showed that Cardente parked the vehicle at the City Hall premises at 5 pm and returned the key to the custodian, but drove it again at 7 pm.

Jonathan Tumulak, head of the City Traffic Operations Management, said they towed the vehicle and impounded. Tumulak said that Cardente has to pay P1,500 for overnight parking and for parking in a no parking area. The vehicle will not be released unless the fine is paid.

“Instruction ni Mayor sukad pa gyud sa pagsugod niya nga bisag government vehicle pa, ipadakop gyud niya. Pabayran gyud,” he said.

City administrator Lucelle Mercado said the city government is not paying the fine.

“Wa’y budget ang  City Hall ana, personal na niya. That cannot be charged to the government, maayo unta og nasod sa office hours,” said Mercado.

Cardente, who has been employed in the City since November, has been informed already of the city’s rules beforehand, Mercado added. (FREEMAN)