DILG: 5 mayors may face admin raps over absence during ‘Ompong’

MANILA, Philippines — Five mayors who were missing in action during the onslaught of powerful Typhoon Ompong last year may face administrative sanctions from the Office of the Ombudsman, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Tuesday.

This, after the explanations given by the five northern Luzon mayors — who were not named — were found to be “inadequate and unjustified” and “whose acts probably violated existing laws, rules and regulations” by the DILG Central Office.

“Despite having knowledge of the impending typhoon and the DILG advisory, said mayors were not in their post during the typhoon. Such act on their part may be considered as dereliction of duty, negligence or other administrative offense,” DILG spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said.

Under the Local Government Code, an elective local official may be disciplined, suspended or removed from office for gross negligence, dereliction of duty or misconduct in office.

Meanwhile, six mayors would receive a written admonition from DILG Secretary Eduardo Año for disregarding the agency's directives requiring their physical presence during calamities and failing to personally supervise the evacuation, rescue and relief operations of their constituents from September 14 to 16 last year.

Out of the 16 local executives from Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region, only one mayor was excused after his absence was found to be acceptable, Malaya said.

“While the mayor had to attend a Sandiganbayan Court Hearing in Quezon City on September 13, 2018, an equally urgent matter, he nevertheless managed to return immediately to his area of responsibility,” the DILG spokesperson said.

‘On call’ any time

Malaya reminded local government heads that the physical presence of a mayor in his area of responsibility is crucial.

“His absence adversely affects the operation of the LGU and it is their constituents who suffer,” he said.

He added that all local elective officials are considered “on-call” any time of the day.

“That is the essence of public service. This is the reason why they do not have fixed working hours because doing so would limit their service to the public to the prejudice of their constituents,” Malaya said.

Typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) slammed into northern Philippines in September last year. Over 100 individuals were killed due to the violent winds and torrential rains it brought.