THE provincial government of Pampanga is set to file administrative and criminal charges for the violation of the Omnibus Election Code and Anti-graft and Corruption Act against Dr. Eddie Ponio, the administrator of the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital.
This came after campaign materials of his brother, Apolinario Gaddi Ponio Jr. who is running for 2nd district representative, were found being printed at the Hospital Information System Management Office.
The Task Force created under the Office of the Provincial Administrator of Pampanga led by general services office head Francis Maslog, provincial information officer Joel Mapiles, and management information systems office head Marylou Espaltero found the campaign materials of Juan “Puling” Ponio within the hospital premises.
According to Provincial Administrator Atty. Andres Pangilinan Jr., this is a clear violation against the use of any government property, including computers and the internet, for any partisan political activities, in accordance to Sec 2 (4) Article IX-B of 1987 Constitution; Section 55, Chapter 8 (Prohibitions) of the Administrative Code of 1987; Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No.9, series of 1992; and Article XXII, Sec 261 (o) of Omnibus Election Code.
“We have been receiving reports since April 9. In fact, I have confronted him (Dr. Ponio) then that if the reports were true, to please stop. But he didn’t,” Atty. Pangilinan added.
Last April 10, 12:30 p.m., the task force received information that there will be printing of election campaign materials again at 5 p.m.
At 5:20 p.m., inside the HISMO IT room, members of the task force, caught in the act one Ronald Pacquing, a staff who admitted that he has been following commands from Dr. Ponio.
“Campaign materials were confiscated, including the computers, hard drives they were using. CCTV footages were also copied. Within the day, preventive suspension will be filed against him (Dr. Ponio),” the Provincial Administrator furthered.
“I am waiting for him to formally answer. Atty. Andin and I have been reviewing this, since the pieces of evidence are now at hand,” he said.
Meanwhile, Atty. Pangilinan also said that issuance of bogus Identification cards (IDs) were also made in the hospital premises. According to him, only the Management Information System Office is allowed to do this. (PR)