The Cebu Provincial Government finds itself embroiled in controversy after admitting that what it publicly promoted as its "first-ever sea ambulance" was actually a borrowed vessel, sparking political attacks and raising questions about government transparency.
The Launch and Subsequent Revelation
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, the Cebu Provincial Government proudly launched what it called its "first-ever sea ambulance," describing it as a landmark initiative to strengthen emergency response and ensure faster medical transport for island municipalities. The project was heavily promoted through various channels, including Governor Pam Baricuatro's social media page on November 12, 2025, which showed the vessel delivering medicines to Camotes Island.
However, the truth emerged during a Provincial Board session on November 25, 2025, when Dennis Pastor, head of the province's disaster risk reduction and management office, and Budget Officer Danilo Rodis revealed that the vessel was "only borrowed" and remained "un-procured." This admission came after weeks of the provincial government treating the sea ambulance as an accomplished project.
Political Fallout and Social Media Attacks
The revelation provided ammunition for Governor Baricuatro's political rivals, who had already been circulating AI-generated images depicting the governor as Pinocchio, the Disney character whose nose grows when he lies. These caricatures gained traction on social media platforms, targeting Baricuatro who had defeated multiple-term heavyweight Gwen Garcia in the last election.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) turned over two fishing boats to the province, which were distributed to Danao City and Medellin to support livelihood recovery and coastal resilience. This positive development was largely overshadowed by the sea ambulance controversy.
Transparency Concerns and Media Scrutiny
The controversy raises serious questions about government transparency, particularly regarding the planned P50 million acquisition (at P25 million each) for the sea ambulances. Provincial Board members Celestino Martinez Jr. and Antonio Bacaltos Jr. questioned why the essential detail about the vessel being on test run was omitted from official communications.
Critics argue that the provincial government could have been forthright about the arrangement while still highlighting the benefits of the test run, which included free use of the vessel and absence of liability in case of accidents. The incident has highlighted the lack of media scrutiny on Provincial Board proceedings, with attention traditionally focused on the governor's office.
As the controversy continues to unfold, questions remain about whether the Provincial Board's scrutiny of executive action would have occurred under a different administration, and how this incident might affect public trust in government communications moving forward.
