Hiphop tilt: CH exec to face plaint

CEBU, Philippines -  Cebu City Councilor Sisinio Andales is now gathering evidence against a City Hall employee for his affiliation with the United Nationalist Alliance or local party Team Rama.

His target was Cebu City Investment Promotions Center head Aniceto “Abby” Canturias, identified as the media bureau head of the UNA regional headquarters in Cebu City.

“I am securing documents to that effect (filing complaint),” Andales said. He, however, said it would not be him who would file the administrative complaint.

The councilor said Canturias violated the Code of Conduct and Ethi-cal Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

A lawyer by profession, Andales said that as a City Hall employee, Canturias should not have affiliated himself with any political party.

“It is prohibited sa Civil Service Commission if the government funds were used for political advancement,” he said, referring to a recent fundraising event for the Cebu City Medical Center that UNA allegedly used to campaign.

“Laing violation pud sa Election code nato kay government employees should not engage in partisan politics,” he added.

Canturias declined to issue any statement to counter what Andales said when sought for his comment.

“No comment. Let him eat his favorite pudding,” Canturias said in a text message.

With this, the Civil Service Commission-7 warned government employees not to campaign for or against any candidate or any political aspirant.

Proline Daclan, CSC-7 public assistance division chief, said government employees, including those of national agencies and of local government units, should not campaign for any political party to avoid any administrative penalty, which includes suspension and dismissal from service depending on the extent of the violation.

“Karong panahona nga hapit na ang election, i-remind lang nako ang tanan government employees… nga ang nagpabilin nalang nato nga right is the right to vote,” she said.

“While you are employed in the government service, dili puwede mo-volunteer or even mere presence in any political party dili gyud puwede,” she added.

Daclan cited Republic Act No. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), which sets eight norms that public officials and employees should observe.

They include “political neutrality, which seeks public officials and employees to provide service to everyone without… discrimination and regardless of party affiliation or preference.”

She said even if employees will not be paid for their service in any political party, they should not involve themselves with any political groups.

She also cited Section 7 (2) of RA 6713, which prohibits government employees from engaging in the “private practice of their profession unless authorized by the Constitution or law, provided, that such practice will not conflict or tend to conflict with their official functions.”

“Any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine not exceeding the equivalent of six (6) months’ salary or suspension not exceeding one (1) year, or removal depending on the gravity of the offense after due notice and hearing by the appropriate body or agency,” read RA 6713.

Daclan said all government employees should not engage in any employment if it is in conflict with his functions as a government employee.

“All government employees, as much as possible should abstain from (joining in) any political party,” she said.

Daclan said the CSC will be monitoring violations through complaints submitted by any individual.  — /RHM (FREEMAN)