Vice Governor Emilio Yulo III said there is nothing illegal in the purchase by 11 Negros Occidental provincial board members of new vehicles, and the ultimate measure of whether it is justified is if they are used in the service of their constituents.

“The issue here is the legality and the propriety of the purchase of the vehicles,” he said.

Negrenses can hold their board members accountable if they fail to conduct consultative visitations and meetings and attend to the needs of their constituents now that they have new vehicles, he said.

“Ultimately the judgment on whether the vehicles purchased by the board members were put to good use will be up to the people they serve,” he said.

“After all we are subject to public scrutiny every three years through elections,” he said.

Gov. Isidro Zayco said P1.5 million was given to each board member who can decide how to use it, and the choice on whether to buy a vehicle was left to them.

He also clarified that the provincial government has not purchased a new vehicle for Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, Negros Occidental provincial director.

Franco asked for a vehicle but we have not approved it yet, he said.

Purchased were two Ford Ranger Trekker 4x4s worth P1,209,456 each for Board Members Nehemias dela Cruz Sr. and Renato Gustilo of the first district, and  six Ford Everest vehicles at P1,186,485 each for Board Members Mae Javellana and Janet Torres of the fourth district, Adolfo Mangao Sr. and Macario Zafra Jr. of the sixth district, George Gitano – Association of Barangay Captains Federation president, and Raul Rivera – Provincial Councilors League-Negros Occidental chapter president.

Board Member Melvin Ibañez of the fifth district opted to buy a P1,150,000 Nissan Navara pickup, while Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko of the third district went for a P500,000 secondhand Mitsubishi Strada.

Board Member Edgardo Acuña also ordered a Ford Everest.

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation representative Jebmari Bacaro, Board Members Patrick Lacson  and Miller Serondo and Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III  did not purchase new vehicles.*CPG

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