Madrigal could be liable for misconduct

CEBU, Philippines - Beleaguered Capitol security chief Loy Madrigal could be liable for misconduct after it was found out that the driver of the vehicle issued to him that figured in a fatal accident is not an employee of the provincial government.

“Why did he (Madrigal) allow somebody who is not an employee of the provincial Capitol to drive the vehicle? All government-issued vehicles should only be driven by the employees of the provincial Capitol,” Governor Hilario Davide III said yesterday.

Davide disclosed that the driver, Alberto Naraja, 45, had applied for a job order position at the provincial government but his contract was not signed.

“Kining tawhana  (Naraja), according ni Atty. (Mark) Tolentino (the Provincial Administrator), mi-apply unta as job order (employee) but wa pa napirmahi iyang kontrata. He is not yet a J.O. Therefore (he) is unauthorized to drive that vehicle,” Davide told reporters.

The black Mitsubishi Strada with plate number SJC 600 hit couple Felix and Marites Mirambel who were onboard a motorcycle at Barangay Don Pedro, Bogo City last Sunday night.

The victims who sustained head injuries were transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center from a provincial hospital in Bogo City, but Felix died around 3 p.m. on Monday.

Liability

Sought for a legal opinion, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella, a former director of the Office of the Ombudsman - Visayas, said Madrigal may be held liable for misconduct.

He said there is administrative liability if a person in custody of a government-issued vehicle allows someone who is not allowed to drive that vehicle do so.

Meanwhile, Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Noel Gillamac has ordered the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch to investigate Bogo City police chief, Chief Insp. Germano Mallari, and the traffic investigator for possible violation of the Philippine National Police’s standard operating procedure.

Gillamac said the police are supposed to take the suspects in a road accident into custody – especially if the victims are injured seriously – but this did not happen in Sunday’s incident.

“Kuhaon ang lisensya sa driver. If serious ang victims, ma-detain gyud na. Pwede lang na ma-release kung naay pagtugot sa pamilya,” Gillamac explained.

Naraja was not even subjected to liquor test, Gillamac said.

He said the provincial government has requested that it be furnished a copy of IDMB’s findings.

Capitol’s Committee on Discipline and Investigation has already opened its own investigation into the controversies involving Madrigal, including his alleged romantic involvement with his secretary and the allegations of the latter’s husband that Madrigal has caused his and his wife’s breakup.

Madrigal is under a 15-day preventive suspension.

Caution

Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, the one who posted the “sweet” photo of Madrigal and his secretary online, warned Davide of the “potential problem” the controversies will bring to his administration.

“I have been calling the governor to kick him out since last year because he has made us believed that he is in the forefront of the fight against illegal fishing,” Ramirez said during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

The mayor had accused Madrigal of withholding the trucks of relief goods intended for Medellin following the onslaught of super typhoon Yolanda last year.

Madrigal said the goods were kept overnight in Bogo City reportedly because no one could escort them to Medellin, which is approximately 11 kilometers away.

Ramirez contended that Madrigal was so concerned of the security of traveling to Medellin but did not care about the security of travel from Capitol to Bogo City, which is 101 kilometers away.

“That is what is happening now. He is clinging to his post and using all means possible even though the governor has already asked him to resign. It is a matter of life and death for him because it is a very lucrative position for him,” Ramirez said.

Madrigal had said he will pursue libel charges against Ramirez.—  Bryner L. Diaz/JMO (FREEMAN)