MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday reiterated its warning against using government fuel for private vehicles as fuel costs continue to rise, citing the dismissal of a former Bohol provincial board member over the misuse of 100 liters of government gasoline.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said government workers should not use fuel meant for government vehicles for private purposes, warning that such acts could result in serious administrative penalties.
His warning came as the agency cited the case of then-Bohol Second District Board Member Vierna Mae Boniel-Maglasang, who was dismissed after being found liable for two counts of serious dishonesty over the use of government fuel in 2024.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Bohol Third District Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite, who alleged that Boniel-Maglasang used 100 liters of gasoline allocated for a government vehicle for private vehicles.
Beyond her dismissal, Boniel-Maglasang was stripped of her civil service eligibility, barred from taking civil service examinations and ordered to forfeit her retirement benefits. She was also permanently disqualified from holding public office.
In its 13-page decision, the Ombudsman said charging fuel expenses to a vehicle not covered by the authorized government fuel allocation system showed an intent to bypass accounting and auditing rules.
Public officials, the decision said, are expected to maintain the highest level of honesty and accountability, with a lack of integrity warranting administrative sanctions.
“Acts like this destroy the image of government,” Remulla said.
He also warned that the agency would not tolerate the siphoning of gasoline, loading fuel into private vehicles or falsifying receipts.
Officials found guilty of similar acts, Remulla said, would face the harshest penalty provided under the law.
