Quezon City mayor, brod charged for drugs

MANILA, Philippines - The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) filed criminal and administrative charges against Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and his councilor-brother Hero before the Office of the Ombudsman yesterday.

In the complaint, the group’s founding chairman Dante Jimenez and lawyer Manuel Obedoza accused both local officials of doing nothing to fight the problem of illegal drugs in the city.

The crime watchdog said it was charging the Bautistas of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; dereliction of duty under the Revised Penal Code; violation of the Local Government Code and violation of at least two local ordinances including one implementing a drug-free workplace.

Administratively, the group wants the mayor and the councilor to be investigated for dishonesty, neglect of duty, misconduct, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, violation of the Administrative Code of 1987 and violation of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

“Unfortunately for the people of Quezon City, your mayor has reduced the office of the local chief executive as a mere bystander in the government’s fight against illegal drugs,” VACC said in a statement.

“He did not even care to advise his brother… to resign (out of) delicadeza. Is there such a thing as leave of absence for public officials because of substance abuse?” the group asked.

According to the VACC, all government officials should be reminded that with more power comes great responsibility to the people.

“Tolerance or sheer inaction should make you equally guilty with those who are into this evil of drug addiction,” the group stressed.

Last week, Hero admitted that he was the elected official who tested positive for use of shabu and marijuana and announced that he was going on indefinite leave for drug rehabilitation while denying that he was protected by his brother.

“I hope that people will not condemn me. I just want to put an end to this issue because my brother as mayor will never be a drug protector. I am the protector of my brother,” he said.