THE chairperson of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) is reportedly facing complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged failure to observe the health protocols amid the increasing cases of coronavirus disease (Covd-19) in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
GAB Chairperson Abraham Mitra was reportedly seen not wearing masks on various events while being one of the guests of the city during the Balayong Fun Ride and Acacia Tunnel Lighting last March 6, 2021.
“Aggravating the situation was the subsequent travel and attendance to mass gatherings by Chairman Mitra after having been to a place evidently prone to Covid-19 exposures, without regard to the possibility of further spreading the virus,” reads the complaint from concerned residents of the province, a copy of which was furnished to SunStar Philippines.
A week after the said events, the official tested positive for the virus.
The complainants also include Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron and two other public officials in charges for violation of Bayanihan Act, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, and open disobedience under Article 231 of the Revised Penal Code.
The officials have yet to issue public statements over the said allegations.
Puerto Princesa City Administrator Arnel Pedrosa said the mayor and two other local government officials “will formally answer the charges once each of them has received the official copy of the complaint,” said a report from Palawan News.
Octa Research earlier tagged Puerto Princesa as among the cities of concern outside the National Capital Region due to the surge of Covid-19 cases. (SunStar Philippines)