Iloilo City Council to probe service vehicle misuse

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City Council has launched an inquiry in aid of legislation into the alleged misuse of government-issued service vehicles by city councilors.

The City Council on Thursday, May 28, approved a resolution directing an inquiry into reports that some officials may have used government vehicles beyond authorized purposes, including off-hours use without proper trip documentation.

The investigation will be led by the Committee on Good Government, Public Accountability, and Justice, also known as the Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia, in coordination with the City Legal Office and the Public Order and Safety Management Office.

“[The] documented infractions involving local personnel operating city-issued vehicles during off-hours without trip tickets—compounded by traffic disturbances—highlight the urgent need to revisit local enforcement mechanisms, vehicle logging systems, and operational boundaries,” said Councilor Romel Duron, author of the resolution.

Duron said the investigation aims to establish the regulatory framework for the proposed “Iloilo City Government Vehicle Accountability and Proper Conduct Ordinance.”

“There is an immediate need to enact a comprehensive city ordinance that establishes absolute definitions of ‘unauthorized use,’ standardizes daily driver maintenance inspection logs, mandates strict trip ticket registration, and defines explicit clear-cut liability mechanisms for offending employees,” Duron said.

The proposed ordinance seeks to institutionalize mandatory trip tickets, enforce strict operational boundaries, and impose escalating penalties ranging from suspension to dismissal.

It also includes provisions on direct financial liability for damages and fines, as well as possible criminal charges under existing anti-graft and malversation laws for severe violations.

Duron said that while national laws already regulate the use of government vehicles, local measures are needed to strengthen enforcement and accountability.

In the Philippines, the use of government vehicles is governed by Commission on Audit rules that require trip tickets recording the date, destination, and purpose of each trip, with weekend and holiday use generally limited to official functions.

The statutes referenced in the proposal, Republic Act No. 3019 and the Revised Penal Code, carry penalties that can include imprisonment and disqualification from public office.

The issue gained public attention following allegations involving the use of city-issued vehicles outside official schedules.

Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog, one of the individuals implicated in the controversy, maintained that she had a valid trip ticket and receipts for purchases made during an “official” errand.

The service vehicle used by Mabilog was reportedly seen outside a commercial establishment on a Sunday.

Mabilog said she stopped at the establishment to buy school supplies for one of her programs.

She added that she is prepared to present supporting documents during the council investigation.

The controversy also involves Liga ng mga Barangay-Iloilo City President Ma. Irene Ong, who has submitted documents supporting the official nature of her use of a government-issued vehicle on the same day.

Ong’s vehicle was reportedly seen at a café in Jaro, but she said the meeting involved discussions on a scholarship program and formed part of official functions.