BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE) yesterday reminded Capitol workers “to properly observe decorum and ethical standards,” as required by no less than Republic Act 6713 otherwise known as the Code of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
In a statement, PACE president Renelo Lastierre, said “As government servants, we are to live a modest life and must serve with utmost diligence and efficiency.”
“As long as we are active employees it is therefore required of us to observe at all times rules and regulations promulgated to promote good governance,” Lastierre said.
Five employees of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) in Negros Occidental were meted a 60-day preventive suspension for making a driver of a government vehicle wait beyond office hours while engaging in a drinking spree at a restaurant in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Lastierre, however, said that “due process of law must always be observed in the investigation of employees, to give them ample opportunity to defend themselves.”
As defender of the workers, he stressed that PACE does not also tolerate nor allow employees to abuse, but rather encourages employees to be efficient partners of the government for public service. As long as we observe the laws we are at the correct track, he also said.
Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez also issued Memorandum Order No.12 reminding Victorias City government employees of the “proper conduct while on or hosting official travel.”
In his memorandum dated August 30, Benitez said “everyone, regardless of the nature of employment, is directed to think, act, conduct themselves as responsible and honorable public servants by avoiding any act or omissions which will put the reputation of the office you hold and that of the local government of Victorias in question.”
He also called on employees to “avoid ‘courtesy invitations’ during or after official travel/s which involves committing acts (a) unbecoming of a public servant or (b) unnecessarily wastes government resources.”
These acts, Benitez said in his memorandum, “are distasteful, violates the code of conduct of a public servant/government employee and will not be tolerated by the current administration.”
He also directed the Administrative Investigation Committee “to monitor any commission of acts which this Order seeks to prevent.”*
