FOR BEING ‘EPAL’

ELECTED officials, beware!

For being ‘epal’, the Office of the Ombudsman has suspended from office for one year without pay the town’s mayor and vice mayor. Their violation? They placed their names and images on the town’s new ambulance.

Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard Mosquera and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales signed the decision for the suspension of Asingan Mayor Heidee Chua and Vice Mayor Carlos Lopez Jr. for simple misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of service and for violation of section 5 (a) of republic Act No. 6173 or the Code of Conduct on Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The order also directed the secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to implement the decision immediately upon receipt of the copy.

In her complaint-affidavit on Nov. 4, 2016, Municipal Councilor Evangeline Dorao “posits that the presence of the names a

nd images of respondents on the newly-acquired ambulance of the municipality constitutes a violation of the Department of the Interior and Local Government Memorandum Circular (DILG-MC) No. 2010-101 which bans the placing of names, initials, images or pictures of government officials in billboards and signage or on government programs, projects and property.”

Dorao wrote respondents separate letters dated October 10, 2016 reminding them of such prohibition. She did not receive any feedback and sent them another separate letters dated Oct. 17, 2016 but was again ignored by the respondents.

Dorao also averred that aside from the ambulance, respondents’ images and names were seen on the signage of government projects and properties and in school bags distributed to public school students.

In their joint counter-affidavit, Chua and Lopez claimed they immediately acted on complainant’s letters by removing the printed images during the first week of November 2016, and that that they did not use government funds for the printing of the stickers, pictures and tarpaulins as certified by the Municipal Budget Officer, Municipal Accountant and Municipal Treasurer.

While the Ombudsman acknowledged that the placing their names, images on the municipal ambulance and schoolbags cannot be considered as grave misconduct, it noted that their acts were not tainted with corruption or a clear intent to disregard an established rule.”

And even as they eventually removed their names and images, both could not be exonerated from being administratively liable since, “they did not acknowledge complainant’s letters and inform her of the removal of their names and images on the municipal ambulance after they heeded her request.”

Chua and Lopez were reminded that their acts tarnished the image and integrity of their public office. “The public has been long opposed to this practice of government officials placing their names, initials and images on government projects, programs or vehicles, which serves only their personal interests,” it added.

Sought for her reaction about her suspension for one year without pay, Chua said, “It’s a simple misconduct but we were slapped with a penalty that’s too harsh. “

She added they are working on their motion for reconsideration. (Eva Visperas)

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