Ex-Capitol official refuses to return car

SIX months removed from office, former Capitol budget officer Emme Gingoyon said he sees no need to return the service vehicle issued to him by the Capitol.

In a letter sent to Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) head Eva Encabo, Gingoyon said the motion for reconsideration he filed in response to his grave misconduct charges are still pending before the Court of Appeals.

As a result, he said Encabo’s request for the turnover of the vehicle is “unauthorized and illegal” and can be charged with indirect contempt.

“The requested subject matter involves the merit of the case pending before the Court of Appeals, thus subjudice, which you may be subpoenaed and cited for indirect contempt,” he stated in the letter.

Gingoyon’s replacement, Budget Officer Danilo Rodas was issued a P17,000 representation and transportation allowance (RATA) in lieu of a Kia service vehicle.

Gingoyon said the PGSO has no power to recall the vehicle because it is not under the authority of the Ombudsman-Visayas and has no authority to enforce his dismissal from service.

Gingoyon said the turnover request is “beyond the power” of Encabo as PGSO head to execute.

On top of that, he said Encabo can still proceed with her report on the inventory as part of the transition team of Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III without the service vehicle.

“Please be guided that for all legal intents and purposes, the inventory shall not mean in literal as physical turnover but rather corroboration or validation or reconciliation on property under the budget officer,” he said.

In an interview yesterday, Encabo said she already forwarded the matter to provincial legal officer Orvi Ortega.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales dismissed Gingoyon together with Capitol officials Roy Salubre and Eulogio Pelayre from service last January 25 after they were found guilty of charges of grave misconduct.

They and former Cebu governor now Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu’s 3rd district are charged in connection with the alleged anomalous purchase of the Balili Estate in 2008. / Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos