Labella seeks Ombudsman guidance on fund drive

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Vice-Mayor Edgardo Labella is seeking the guidance of the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas on how to proceed with the city’s “Piso Mo, Hospital Ko” fund drive after the Department of Social Welfare and Development said it does not need a permit.

Labella admitted that he is now on a quandary because of the anti-graft office’s conflicting opinion on the issue.

“I am in a quandary, as to who will issue the needed permit, since DSWD is of the opinion that no such permit is needed from the agency,” Labella said.

Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol, earlier, said that the city government should secure a permit from DSWD for its fundraising campaign to be legal. However, DSWD-7 assistant director Nemia Antipala said the city does not need a permit.

Labella asked Apostol to “find a common and consistent ground” with DSWS on the issue.

“Dir. Antipala advised me (last month) that a permit from the DSWD is not necessary for the City to proceed with the fundraising campaign,” Labella said.

Labella explained in his letter to Apostol what Antipala had told him. Based on Antipala’s opinion, the city is not covered by the requirement in Presidential Decree No. 1564 of 1978 (Amending Act. No. 4075, otherwise known as the Solicitation Permit Law) for all persons, corporations, organizations or associations desiring to solicit or receive contributions for charitable and public welfare purposes to first secure a permit from the Regional Offices of the DSWD.

Antipala is of the pinion that the city is exempted from securing such permit because being a chartered city its local chief executive is authorized to issue the permit.

Labella said he doesn’t question the wisdom on the need for proper observance of the principles of accountability, in the light of the provisions of other laws relating to the conduct of public officials and employees, such as Republic Act 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act), RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees), and PD No. 46 (soliciting and receiving of gifts, either directly or indirectly).

However, Labella said they need the guidance of the anti-graft office to proceed with the fund drive.— (FREEMAN)