Sigma Vice Mayor Silent on Damaged Vehicles

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By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Vice Mayor Christopher Andaya has remained silent regarding his accountability for four unserviceable government-owned vehicles involved in accidents during his term as mayor of Sigma, Capiz.

Angelina Villanoy, Sigma’s municipal general services officer (MGSO), stated that, despite multiple letters to Andaya about the damaged vehicles, he responded only twice, asserting that the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) had covered the damages through insurance.

Villanoy noted, however, that Andaya still bears responsibility, as he was involved in the accidents.

“It is important to note that some incidents occurred outside official working hours,” she said.

The unserviceable vehicles include a Nissan Terra with an acquisition cost of PHP 2.2 million and an account payable of PHP 1.2 million; a Ford Ranger at PHP 1.7 million with PHP 811,210 payable; a Suzuki Ertiga valued at PHP 973,000 with PHP 341,965 payable; and a Honda CR-V worth PHP 1.4 million with PHP 960,845 payable, totaling PHP 6.2 million in acquisition costs and PHP 3.3 million in payables.

In a June 28, 2024 letter to the MGSO, Andaya confirmed that GSIS had insured the vehicles, with all claims processed and settled based on GSIS’s assessment of constructive loss.

“The incidents happened while I was the local chief executive of Sigma, and at that time, all insurance claim requirements were duly satisfied,” Andaya added.

Villanoy, however, reiterated the Commission on Audit (COA)’s observation in an audit memorandum, which cited the “inability of the accountable officer to notify the audit team.”

“It is our duty to inform you about your financial liability for the said vehicles. Although GSIS covered the damages, the audit observation memorandum clearly indicated that receivables must be collected from the accountable officer,” Villanoy said.

In response, Andaya requested certified copies of all related documents and blotter reports to fully understand his responsibilities. This was his last communication to the MGSO, despite additional letters sent to him.

Andaya, serving his final term as mayor, ran as the vice mayoral candidate alongside businessman and current Mayor Dante Rizal Eslabon in the May 2023 elections.

However, the two later parted ways after Andaya was involved in a traffic altercation with members of the Public Order Security Unit (POSU), a local body tasked with traffic enforcement in Poblacion Sur, Sigma.

On October 14, 2024, Villanoy sent a letter to Juliet C. Dumot, COA’s audit team leader, informing her that the MGSO had inventoried the four vehicles involved in accidents on March 8, 2018; January 16, 2019; May 14, 2021; and January 11, 2023.

Villanoy also notified Andaya of his obligation as the accountable officer to submit the necessary documents to COA for relief from accountability. However, there has been no response.

The Daily Guardian attempted to reach Andaya at his residence in Barangay Mianay, Sigma, but he was reportedly unavailable for comment.

Andaya is currently running for mayor against Eslabon, with former Sangguniang Bayan member Stephen Alayon as his vice-mayoral running mate.