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CEBU CITY, Philippines – Government-issued cars and two airport projects were the subjects of three separate complaints filed by businessman and whistleblower Crisologo Saavedra before the Ombudsman for the Visayas last week.
The first complaint filed against Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez stemmed from the use of government vehicles issued to the Talisay City government in a caravan last Saturday.
Saavedra also included in his complaint Fernandez’ alleged failure to include the green Pajero vehicle driven by the mayor's son Joavan in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Saavedra alleged that Fernandez abused his authority when he allowed the use of government vehicles in a caravan aimed at showing support for him against a recall campaign that the businessman initiated.
“The people of Talisay should now decide and pass a judgment if he deserves to stay as the Mayor of Talisay City,” Saavedra said.
Lawyer Carla Tanco of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas said they would investigate the incident to determine if government issued vehicles were used during the caravan, which they deemed was outside of official business.
Saavedra also said Fernandez’ claim that he is “the poorest city mayor in Cebu” should also be investigated by the Ombudsman in light of the omission of the vehicle used by Joavan.
He said it is impossible for Joavan to own a vehicle when he has no livelihood or income.
Mayor Fernandez declared a net worth of P990,450 in his SALN.
Fernandez previously said the Pajero was lent to him by a family friend named Vicenta Caballero, whose son bought the vehicle from a used car dealership in Talisay City.
He also said his son did not know that the Pajero was borrowed.
On the other hand, Saavedra filed two complaints before the Ombudsman-Visayas on two completed projects in the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) which he claimed did not undergo competitive public bidding.
Saavedra alleged that the additional site development projects in an MCIA complex and the repainting of the airport's runway markings were overpriced and awarded to a favored contractor, who failed to submit a proposal.
