Poll winners warned vs drinking in gov’t offices

MANILA, Philippines - Winners of last Monday’s elections, particularly those who were re-elected in the local level, are obviously in a festive mood but that doesn’t mean they can celebrate over a bottle or two of beer in government offices.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) cautioned government officials and employees yesterday against drinking alcoholic beverages in the workplace to celebrate poll victory or for any other reason.

Under the rules, the consumption of alcoholic beverages such as, but not limited to, malt, wine, and intoxicating liquor in the work place among government officials and employees during office hours is prohibited.

“We just want to make sure that employees do not waste government time celebrating the victory of an official,” CSC chairman Francisco Duque III told The STAR even though no such reports have been received so far.

He said drinking liquor in the office and during working hours is untimely and inappropriate as it will affect the efficient delivery of public services.

“They should celebrate elsewhere and not during working hours,” Duque said, noting that mere consumption of alcoholic beverages in the workplace during office hours, as well as reporting for work while under the influence of alcohol, shall be considered as an administrative offense, separate from the offense of habitual drunkenness.

However, he said that the consumption of alcoholic beverages may be allowed during programs and rituals such as ceremonial toasts and observance/honoring of local customs and traditions.

In such instances, the alcoholic beverage must be limited to malt and wine and the consumption shall not result to intoxication, which is defined as “the impairment of a person’s mental faculties ensuing to the loss of control over his/her behavior and/or actions.”

The CSC warned that should an untoward incident happen as a result of such consumption, both the head of office and the officials or employees concerned will be held liable.

Duque said officials and employees who are caught in the act of consuming intoxicating liquor and other alcoholic beverages during office hours, as well as those who will be reporting for work under the influence of alcohol, shall be held liable for misconduct which is punishable by suspension of one to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second offense.