OMBUDSMAN Jesus Crispin Remulla said Thursday that it is illegal for government workers to use fuel meant for government vehicles for personal purposes.
This comes as Bohol Second District Board Member Vierna Mae Boniel-Maglasang was dismissed from service 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 a 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.
The Ombudsman said public officials are expected to maintain the highest level of honesty and accountability.
“Acts like this destroy the image of government,” Remulla said, noting government employees who are found guilty of similar acts will face the harshest penalty under the law.
