By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has urged the electorate not to vote candidates with shady and questionable backgrounds during the May 13 elections.
DILG Undersecretary Martin Diño (Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)
DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño said the electorate should not take chances on corrupt candidates since the country’s future is at stake.
He also warned barangay officials against engaging in partisan politics.
The DILG official noted that rogue barangay officials have enriched themselves with the aid of corrupt public officials.
“There are a number of barangay captains who now owned houses when they were in power,’’ Diño said.
However, Diño did not name names.
He warned the voters they are partly to blame if unprincipled and corrupt officials, reminding them to be more discerning in choosing their bets.
Earlier, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año warned elected officials or political aspirants linked to illegal drugs.
The DILG had filed cases against at least 52 barangay officials before the Commission on Election (Comelec) for allegedly engaging in partisan politics in relation to the May 13 mid-term elections.
Those concerned local officials engaged in illegal and biased campaigning are mostly from Quezon City, Pasay City, Misamis Oriental, Bataan, Taguig City, and Caloocan City.
DILG officials said they will be charged with violation of Commission on Election (Comelec) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) joint circular 001 series of 2016.
The said joint circular prohibits barangay officials from being involved in partisan politics.
With the filing of the charges, DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said that this should serve as a warning to other local officials intending to campaign vigorously and with total disregard to existing laws.
He vowed the department will continue to act on any such complaints immediately as warranted by the law.
He said the DILG may file cases against rogue politicians and even its personnel before the Civil Service Commission (CSC), Commission on Election (Comelec) and office of the Ombudsman.
Malaya has ensured the filing of appropriate charges will be done without bias citing that even violators supporting the favored bets of the President will be dealt with fairly and appropriately.
The DILG also reminded that local officials cannot prohibit political aspirants even those not supportive of their bets from conducting lawful campaign sorties in their respective turfs.
Dino cited Section 389 (Duties and Functions of Barangay Officials) of RA 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code.
In this code, Dino reminded barangay official of their role to promote the general welfare of the barangay and enforce all laws and regulations.
Dino threatened non-complying local and barangay officials with suspension and in the worst scenario dismissal from the service. #MatalinongBoto2019