Penalties sought vs favoritism in LGU assistance programs

MANILA, Philippines — A party-list lawmaker has filed a bill that will penalize local government officials who practice favoritism in giving out cash, livelihood and relief assistance.

In House Bill 10557, ACT CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo seeks penalty for “selective, discretionary and discriminatory acts in the delivery” of such programs by the local government units.

Tulfo said such acts violate the Constitution which provides that a “public office is a public trust, and that public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, and serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency.”

The bill stated that despite this Constitutional provision, “there are instances wherein local government officials select and prioritize the recipients of the assistance programs based on personal considerations.”

“The proponents believe that such an abhorrent practice is directly violative of the principles of accountability and transparency in government service,” the measure’s explanatory note reads.

Under the bill, it will be prohibited for any incumbent barangay and local official to “discriminate in any way against individual constituents or household beneficiaries entitled to receive assistance.”

The measure proposes a punishment of imprisonment from six months to one year and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.