Task Force 'Red plate" catches 15 gov't cars in Cenu

Mars Mosqueda, Manila Bulletin

CEBU CITY – Barely a week after the launching of Oplan Red Plate, authorities here have reported catching 15 government vehicles parked near malls and restaurants and believed to have been used for non-official purposes.

Oplan Red Plate, a campaign against the illegal use of government vehicles, was launched a few days after this was launched in Cebu by five agencies – the Office of the Ombudsman, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Commission on Audit (CoA) and the PNP.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol said he has already ordered the investigation team to visit the agencies to which the vehicles are issued to get supporting documents and determine if the cars were used for official purpose.

"We are sending the team to the agencies involved to hasten our investigation," said Apostol, adding that the team will also check the trip tickets of the apprehended vehicles.

Apostol said the official who will be proven to have used any government vehicle on a non-official trip could face at least six months suspension or dismissal from service depending on the gravity of the violation.

"We are urging the public to help us in this drive to make the campaign more effective," said Apostol.

The Task Force Red Plate has already distributed its hotline numbers to security guards in all the malls, restaurants, and public establishments around Cebu for them to immediately report presence of red-plated vehicles.

Oplan Red Plate is in line with Administrative Order No. 239 of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo prohibiting the use of government-issued vehicles for private purposes.

Administrative Order No. 239 signed by Pres. Arroyo last September 15 is aimed at preventing the use of government vehicles from abuse and its purpose solely for official business.