THE Office of the Ombudsman has suspended a Misamis Oriental prosecutor for one month and one day after she was found guilty of simple misconduct.
Associate Provincial Prosecutor Joan Albarece of the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor (OPP) of Misamis Oriental was the subject of a complaint filed by Quennie Ebonia after the two engaged in an altercation last July 21, 2016 at the OPP.
Albarece reportedly had a fit and slammed the case folders, threw the stapler and puncher, pushed and shouted at Ebonia, the Ombudsman website related.
When the matter was elevated to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the two met again and Albarece lashed out at Ebonia and said, "Kusgan ko? Kay kung gusto pa nako momo-on, gimomo ta jud kag maayo, di ka. So ayaw pag palabi karun palang, gapa exaggerate kana ba bakakun kang dako, di ka kabalo mu-accept kung unsa imong gabuhaton sa ako, dunggan mana nila Myrna ba nga ingana ka!” (Am I that strong? If I wanted to smash your face, I would have smashed it already. Do not exaggerate. You are a liar. You cannot accept what you have done to me).
Albarece argued that her actions have no bearing on her performance as a prosecutor but the Ombudsman ruled that "the fact that respondent's acts were committed within the OPP premises strengthens its view that such acts were intimately connected to her office."
The Ombudsman said respondent Albarece is liable for misconduct for acting menacingly towards the complainant.
"Employees in the government service are bound by the rules of proper and ethical behavior. They are expected to act with self-restraint and civility at all times, even when confronted with rudeness and insolence,” the Ombudsman Decision said.
Misconduct has been defined as a transgression of some established and definite rule of action, more particularly, unlawful behavior or gross negligence by a public officer.
Regional Prosecutor Merlynn Uy, meanwhile, said its office has already received the decision from the Office of the Ombudsman.
"I was directed by the Office of the Secretary to implement her suspension. She is currently serving her suspension," Uy said.
Uy reminds employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity.
"While we prosecutors play a crucial role in the administration of justice, we should always remember to treat everyone with respect and dignity, especially our co-employees, support staff, and the public that we serve. We are expected to observe ethical conduct in our professional and private capacity," she added.