Ombudsman orders gov't. agencies to submit list of retiring employees

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the heads of all government agencies and local government units to submit a list of all retiring employees, particularly those with pending criminal and administrative charges.

Tanodbayan Merceditas N. Gutierrez explained this move is to ensure that retiring state workers will be able to immediately reap the fruits of their hard work after years of serving the government.

Retiring government workers are required to secure clearance from the various investigating bodies in order to find out whether they have pending cases before their retirement benefits would be released.

Gutierrez said the list of retiring officials and employees should contain the retirees' full names, age, last position held and date of retirement and the list should be submitted on a monthly basis.

The anti-graft chief also encouraged the retiring government officials and employees to file their application at least three months prior to the effectivity of their retirement.

The Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act provides that no public officer shall be allowed to resign or retire pending an investigation, criminal or administrative, or pending a prosecution against him, for any offense under this Act or under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code on bribery.

Gutierrez also instructed the anti-graft investigators to prioritize the resolution of criminal or administrative charges against retiring officials and employees of the government or to resolve the case against retiring government officials and employees within 30 days from date of filing of their application for clearance. - Rene U. Borromeo/QSB