LINGAYEN—Three personnel of the provincial government were suspended after being found guilty of misconduct and habitual drunkenness.

A week after the case hearing, Governor Amado Espino Jr., on September 23, 2015, ordered the suspension of Provincial Engineering Office field personnel Leonardo Soriano, Danilo Mandapat, and Luis Biason.

The three were reported by their supervising engineer for being caught under the influence of alcohol while on duty last July.

Mandapat, a construction and maintenance personnel, and Biason, an administrative aide, were meted with the penalty of one-month suspension without pay.

On the other hand, Soriano, a construction and maintenance foreman, received a more severe penalty of three months suspension without pay, because he was already administratively charged for the same misconduct in 2013.

Mandapat and Biason, likewise, “have been reported to have committed the same offence in the past and were reprimanded by their immediate superior not to commit the same again,” cited the decision.

According to the provincial legal officer, Atty. Geraldine Baniqued, said the respondents had been warned that a commission of the same or similar acts in the future shall be dealt with more severely, as these cases shall serve to aggravate their misdeeds and higher penalty in accordance with law.

Mr. Espino, in his decision wrote, “All government officers and employees should set examples of dignity, integrity, competence, and efficiency in the performance of their respective duties and responsibilities. they must also uplift the discharge of duties with utmost due care and diligence.”

As the legal officer previously noted, the case should serve as a warning to all government employees. (Johanne R. Macob)

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