THE Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recommended to the Office of the Ombudsman the filing of charges against 20 barangay officials for violating enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols.
Of the 20 officials, five are from Caloocan City, five from Quezon City, two from Parañaque City, and one each from Mandaluyong City, Las Piñas, Manila City, Makati, Pasay City, Taguig City, Marikina City, and Muntinlupa City.
More than 100 other local government officials are under investigation, according to DILG Undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said this serves as a warning to barangay officials.
He stressed that any violation of health protocols aimed at containing the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) epidemic in the country will not be tolerated.
“As government officials, we should take the lead in following the law and not in breaking it,” he said.
“Wala tayong sasantuhin. Patuloy ang pagtanggap natin ng mga reklamo kaya patuloy din ang pagsasampa natin ng kaso sa Office of the Ombudsman,” he added.
Diño said show cause orders were issued to the 20 barangay officials.
DILG found their response insufficient and recommended the filing of charges pursuant to Sections 21 and 26 of the Ombudsman Act of 1989.
Diño said their offenses include failure to implement social distancing in engagements with the citizens of barangays, illegal cockfighting, gambling, poor enforcement of lockdown protocols as children were seen playing on the streets, negligence and gross neglect of duty, among others.
“Patong-patong ang mga reklamo at sumbong na natanggap namin laban sa kanila kaya sa kabila ng kanilang sagot sa show cause order ay minabuti naming ipadala pa din sa Ombudsman ang mga ebidensyang aming nakalap," said Diño. (SunStar Philippines)