DILG employee who attacked traffic aide could face dismissal

MANILA, Philippines - An employee of the Department of Interior and Local Government accused of physically and verbally attacking a traffic constable is facing an administrative charge that, if found guilty, would result in his outright dismissal from service.

In a show cause order issued on Thursday by the DILG Legal Service, Arvin Vinluan, a Local Government Operations Officer at the DILG Region IV-A (Calabarzon), was asked to explain within 48 hours allegations that he attacked MMDA traffic constable Jonard Jeramil when the latter accosted him for jaywalking last Monday.

The order, signed by DILG Legal Service Director Jesus Doque IV, read: “(This is) in relation to the incident that took place last Monday, November 5, 2012 and was captured on camera, aired on national television and published over the web, wherein you appeared to have attacked the MMDA Traffic Constable who accosted you for Jaywalking and for allegedly using your employment in the Department to avoid being penalized for said offense.”

“Pursuant to Rule 4, Section 16 of the Revised Rules of Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, you are hereby directed to show cause and/or explain in writing within 48 hours why no administrative case should be filed against you for grave misconduct, which is punishable by dismissal from office,” the show cause order added.

The charge of grave misconduct, depending on the gravity, may also result in forfeiture of all benefits in government service, including retirement.

Those found guilty may also be banned from entering any position in government.

DILG Secretary Mar Roxas earlier ordered the filing of administrative charges against Vinluan, noting that cases of employees attacking persons in authority will not be tolerated at the DILG.

The incident involving Vinluan took place along Espana, Manila on Monday morning when Jeramil accosted Vinluan for jaywalking but the latter ignored the traffic officer.

This led to a heated argument allegedly resulting in Vinluan punching and shoving Jeramil.

Part of the altercation was even recorded by a CCTV camera installed in a nearby barangay hall.