MALACAÑANG has cautioned the public against unauthorized solicitation by unscrupulous individuals using the name of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

Medialdea said no one has been authorized to solicit funds from anyone in exchange for a government position.

"Notice is hereby given to the public that unscrupulous individuals have been using the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES), or name dropping the latter in fraudulent schemes to solicit funds from the public," he said in a notice to the public Friday, May 24, 2019.

"In particular, please be warned that the Office of the President (OP) or the OES has not authorized any person to solicit money or other things of value from the public in exchange for a position in government," he added.

This is not the first time that Medialdea's name is used in a fraudulent scam.

Under Presidential Decree 46, any public official is prohibited to directly or indirectly receive any gift or any form of benefit in the course of official duties.

Those who will be found violating the presidential decree may face imprisonment of up to five years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and other accessory penalties. (Ruth Abbey Gita/SunStar Philippines)