Local officials in Davao del Norte resolved to achieve a greater level of accountability in the exercise of their authority to help boost the Duterte administration’s thrust of regaining public trust in government.
Governor Anthony del Rosario hosted a Public Accountability Seminar that provided input on public service values and a deeper understanding on the accountability of local functionaries and executives in the province.
The governor, Vice Governor Allan Dujali, Provincial Board Members, City and Municipal Mayors and Officials, as well as Capitol Executives attended the forum at Bulwagan ng Lalawigan, Tagum City facilitated by the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao.
Del Rosario urged the local officials to become models of change, particularly in helping the president boost the fight against corruption to get back the people's trust in the government. “Fighting corruption in government is truly an uphill battle… We have to bring back faith and confidence in the government,“ the governor stressed. He added that corrupt leaders commit an injustice that greatly burden the poorest members of our society.
Atty. Cristyl Mae Senajon, Senior Administrative Assistant of the Office of the Ombudsman, discussed the ethical standards that should guide every public official as well as the Administrative Laws that penalizes corruption. Meanwhile, Atty. Gil Garcia II, Graft Investigation Officer of the same agency explained the Criminal laws that protect the public from corruption.
“Public servants should conduct commitment to public interest, professionalism, justness and sincerity, responsiveness to the public, nationalism and patriotism, commitment to democracy and simple living ” Senajon said. She added government officials are elected not to take advantage of their positions but to safeguard the interest of the public.
The basic but fundamental pellet that exists between the government and the public is the fiduciary relationship they have with each other, that is the trust and confidence of the people to the officials in power, she added.
“We [public official] can not hold on to our office as we please because this has only been entrusted to us by the people… we do not posses proprietary rights over our office, it has only been entrusted to us ” Atty. Senajon said. She said the betrayal of this trust can be a criminal or administrative offense punishable by law.
Nepotism, accepting or requesting of gifts, bribery, serving one’s personal interest, negligence of duty, and misappropriation of government funds is a form of corruption.
Garcia clarified that, small acts such as taking home office supplies, taking longer breaks to accommodate friends while at work, and going home before five (5) pm are also considered corruption.
