WHILE A TOP official is blabbering on the possibility of sanctioning government officials who chose to fly abroad over looking after their constituents, a private lawyer wasted no time and filed administrative and criminal complaints against the junketeers.
In a complaint filed before the Visayas Ombudsman, lawyer Julito Añora Jr. particularly cited Cebu 5th District Rep. Duke Frasco and seven mayors who travelled outside the country despite the travel ban imposed by the Department of Interior and Local Government amid the arrival of Typhoon Tino.
Aside from Frasco, named respondents in his complaint are Mayor Aljew Fernando Frasco of the Municipality of Liloan; Mayor Avis Ginoo-Monleon of the Municipality of Catmon; Mayor Alfredo Arquillano Jr. of the Municipality of San Francisco; Mayor German Solante of the Municipality of Tudela; Mayor Edgar Rama of the Municipality of Poro, Mayor Manuel Santiago of the Municipality of Pilar, and Mayor Felijur Quiño of the Municipality of Compostela.
Añora accused the officials of violating Republic Act 10121 (Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act), the Local Government Code, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, and Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
“The casualties speak for themselves… These numbers speak about the inefficiency of our local chief executives,” said Añora.
Records obtained from the DILG showed that the respondents filed for a travel authority to go to London from November 1 onwards.
“They shouldn’t have left. The advisory of PAGASA was October 27… they could have at least cancelled their trip,” said Añora.
Interestingly, not all Cebu mayors were lured to travel as Borbon Mayor Nico Dotillos who initially formed part of the entourage, opted to drop the overseas travel.
“I did this on my own volition, I filed this on my own judgements because I’ve seen the incompetence of these public officials. I mourned with all of the victims,” he added.
