TV program to help spot misuse of gov’t vehicles

Government vehicels that are misused for personal errands and joy rides should beware.

These will be the first target of a new TV program that focuses on Operation Red Plate of the Visayas Ombudsman’s Office.

The weekly progam launched today by ABS-CBN will join efforts of the news media, citizens and the government to reduce corruption in the region.

Th news program “Tubag!” hosted by Leo Lastimosa will be interactive.

“We have heard Leo lambasting erring public officials for years on his program but this time, the program “Tubag!” will do away with that and will instead inform and create partnerships with concerned agencies and the people to have easy enforcement of some rules,” said ABS-CBN manager and Central Visayas Cluster head Tata Cinco-Sy.

The maiden broadcast today will focusing on Operation Red Plate, which targets the misuse of government vehicles.

Visayas Deputy Ombudsman Sergio Apostol welcomed the move.

“Yes, the Office of the Ombudsman can investigate but we need eyes and ears in the field and this program could be very helpful in our advocacy,” Apostol said.

Land Transportation Office Regional Director Raul Aguilos said “Tubag!” can help them apprehend violators.

Lastimosa said the new program would highlight partnership and cooperation.

“Lahi ra gyud ni (This is different). Instead of fighting, we might as well cooperate in our duties through this new program,” Lastimosa said.

Oplan Red Plate team leader lawyer Vincent Gador said it’s about time that people send a strong message to erring officials that they are watching them how their taxes are being spent.

“With the latest technology and social networking, vigilance would be very easy,” Gador said.

He said citizens can post photos of erring vehicles with red plates in the LTO 7 Facebook account.

Lawyer Philip Camiguin of the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas said they are using the “Spider web approach” introduced by Apostol.

He said the illegal use of government vehicles could result in criminal and administrative charges for officials and even suspension.

He warned the public against using unauthorized vanity plates.

“Now we know that vanity plate used by Mayor Michael Rama in his van is not allowed as this will hide the original plate,” Lastimosa quipped.

LTO-7 assistant regional director Arnel Tancinco took pictures of cars with government license plates in public beaches.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director Patrocinio Commendador Jr. and Supt. Reynante Malazarte said the CPPO would go after policemen who indiscriminately use their service vehicles.

At the same time they will award police stations that maintain their vehicles in tip-top shape.

Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada said the TV program could be a powerful tool in fighting corruption.

“If corruption is so hard to stop, then at least we could discourage violators from committing corruption,” Tanada said.

Tubag! airs every Saturday at 7 a.m. over Channel 3 and simulcast over dyAB and Sky Cable Channel 70. /CORRESPONDENT EDISON DELOS ANGELES