The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it will conduct a probe on the alleged viral video showing the barangay captain of a barangay in Dasmariñas City, Cavite having sex with the barangay treasurer on Zoom.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya described the supposed act as “appalling and disturbing because it goes against public morals and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees.’’
“If true, this is unbecoming of an elected government official. Tinitiyak po naming iimbestigahan ang insidenting ito at pananagutin ang barangay captain ng kung anong karampatang parusa ng batas sa inasal niya (We assure that this will be investigated and will have the barangay captain answerable with the appropriate penalties under the law being applied against him with his act),” Malaya said.
Under the leadership of DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año, Malaya emphasized that “he does not condone nor tolerate such obscene behavior of any local government official who is expected to conduct himself in a manner befitting his public office.’’
Malaya added the DILG investigation team is mandated to submit the soonest time the result of its investigation to determine the liability of the barangay captain and the barangay treasurer.
After assessing the findings, Malaya said the DILG “will recommend his prosecution to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Dasmariñas.''
He urged the Dasmariñas City government to make an independent investigation since it also has disciplining authority over barangay officials.
“If all evidence point to the culpability of the barangay captain, he can be slapped with administrative cases and may even be removed from his position as barangay captain. Public office is a public trust. Hindi kayo binoto ng mga kababayan ninyo para maging source ng iskandalo kundi para maglingkod (You were not voted by your constituents just to be the source of any scandal but to render public service,” he said.
Malaya noted that public officials are expected to display the highest moral and ethical standard as mandated by Republic Act No. 6713 also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.