The Capitol is investigating the alleged unauthorized use of a Negros Occidental provincial government vehicle by a former contractual employee of the Capitol and his companion.

A blotter at Police Station 1 in Bacolod yesterday said two persons were arrested and detained for allegedly threatening two people, for alarm and scandal, driving without license, and unlawful use of a government vehicle at Roxas-Lacson streets 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

Rodolfo Miraflores III, 30, and Benedict Tuvilla, 32, were arrested by Police Station 1 officers led by PO2 Abelardo Berlin after they allegedly threatened Nemia Grijaldo and Kenneth Peorma near a bar at Roxas-Lacson streets, the blotter showed.

Miraflores, and Tuvilla, were released after settling the matter with the complainants, Police Station 1 commander, Chief Inspector Noel Manaay, said.

Grijaldo and Peorma told the police that they were sitting beside the road when Miraflores' and Tuvilla's white Carry – a government vehicle registered under the provincial government with plate number SNB-409 – traveling at top speed suddenly skidded and stopped in front of them.

The complainants said that Tuvilla told them, “O maano kamo? Tirohon ta kamo karon. (What are you going to do? I will shoot you.)”, police records showed.

Miraflores, who was driving the vehicle, later presented an expired driver's license to the responding officers, police reports said.

Manaay said that bottles of beer were also seen inside the government vehicle and that the arrest was witnessed by a television crew.

Provincial Administrator Enrique Pinongan said the Provincial Legal Department has been tasked to look into the incident.

Those involved will be given a chance to explain and proper action will be taken, he said.

Provincial Agriculturist Igmedio Tabianan said Miraflores had been a contractual employee in his department but his contract expired on Dec. 31, while Tuvilla does not work for the provincial government.

Contractual workers are given termination orders every Dec. 31 and are required to avail of clearances after turning over any government property assigned to them, Tabianan said.

He said Miraflores had been assigned by the OPA to fishery and plant quarantine work at the seaports in Bacolod City .

The use of the OPA vehicle assigned to the fishery division by Miraflores this weekend was unauthorized since his contract had ended, he added.

Capitol vehicles can only be used for official work and not beyond office hours without permission and travel orders, Tabianan said.

Tabianan said he has formed a committee within the OPA to investigate the case, and to determine why Miraflores was using a government vehicle. The person who allowed Miraflores to use the vehicle will also be liable, he said.*CPG/PP

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