By Francis Allan L. Angelo

NO one is above the law.

This was the reminder of the Office of the Ombudsman to local officials who continue to violate the red plate policy.

Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Pelagio Apostol said they will strictly implement the red plate policy and other rules on the use of government vehicles to all public officials.

Apostol issued the warning following reports that Iloilo Governor Niel Tupas Sr. and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas “evaded” the Ombudsman’s Oplan Red plate checkpoint last week.

The Ombudsman in Iloilo conducted a checkpoint Friday last week along Diversion Road in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

A composite team of the Ombudsman, PNP, Civil Service Commission, Land Transportation Office, Commission on Audit and Philippine Information Office manned the checkpoint.

The team apprehended a total of 13 government vehicles, including that of Treñas and Tupas.

The team had to chase the official vehicles of Tupas and Treñas after they failed to stop at the checkpoint area.

Apostol said he is awaiting the report of Ombudsman Western Visayas on the incident.

Evangeline Nuñal, Ombudsman Associate Graft Investigation Officer I, said they are preparing their report to Apostol regarding the apprehension.

“We will be asking the concerned officials to explain in writing why they did not stop considering that the operation was legal,” Nuñal said.

Nuñal said they were offended because two ranking officials of Iloilo failed to recognize the operation.

She said proper signages were placed on both lanes of the Diversion Road while members of the team wore their uniforms and identification cards.

Oplan Red Plate tarpaulins were also hanged in steel railings to let everyone know about the surprise inspections.

Apostol said the two officials will have to explain their actions.

“We don’t want to interfere in their official functions. In fact, we want to help them by guiding them on what to do. We have to implement the law and no one is above the law except if there are exemptions,” Apostol said over RMN-Iloilo.

Apostol said local officials should cooperate with Ombudsman projects to optimize delivery of services to the public. 

Treñas said his party had no reason to evade the checkpoint because his vehicles had proper markings.

Treñas said his driver thought that the Red Plate checkpoint was meant for motorcycles.

“When I heard the sirens of the checkpoint team, I thought the police was escorting me. I later learned that it was the Red Plate team already,” the mayor said.

Treñas said he came from the wake of former Iloilo City mayor Timoteo Consing in Molo where he delivered a homily for the late official.

The mayor said their trip was supported by a duly accomplished trip ticket.

“I hope that will be resolved because we have no reason to evade,” he said.

In an interview with Bombo Radyo, Tupas said he did not evade the checkpoint.

Tupas said the Red Plate team told him about the special plate marked “GOVERNOR” on his Chevrolet Suburban. The governor said the red plate is still attached behind the special plate.

But the team said special plates such as “GOVERNOR”, “MAYOR”, “COUNCILOR”, “PUNONG BARANGAY” are not allowed in government vehicles.

Tupas has ordered the removal of the special plate from his official vehicle. (With reports from PNA)