DILG warns on absenteeism of local chief executives

Tuesday 28th of February 2012

MANILA, Feb. 28 (PIA) -- As the public deserves more responsible and performing local officials, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo has cautioned local government executives against habitual absenteeism and negligence in the performance of their duties.

In a statement, Robredo said the Department has been continuously receiving reports concerning the habitual absenteeism of local chief executives, which is “not keeping with the mandate of the law, to the prejudice of their constituents and ultimately, public service.”

“Some local government officials are either frequently absent or holding office elsewhere, other than their official places of assignment,” he said.

The law considers a governor or mayor as “habitually absent” if he stays at least ten (10) cumulative working days in a month, out of his or her work station, or out of his or her jurisdiction.

The DILG Secretary reminded local execs that they “are expected to render full time service, and devote time and attention to the performance of their official duties and should refrain from practicing professions, or engaging in any occupation other than the exercise of their functions.”

Specifically, he cited Section 90 of the Local Government Code clearly states that, “All governors, city and municipal mayors are prohibited from practicing their profession or engaging in any occupation other than the exercise of their functions as local chief executives.”

In his directive, Robredo directed the provincial governor to establish a monitoring mechanism to generate information on the presence of local chief executives in their official stations and on those who are habitually absent.

“In the exercise of your general supervisory power over component cities and municipalities, you (provincial governors) may admonish habitually absent local chief executives, or as may be warranted, cause the filing of appropriate charges against them,” he told the governors.

Last year, the DILG issued a memo circular which specifies the grounds for disciplinary actions against elective local officials pursuant to Section 60 of the Local Government Code.

Said provision states that a local government official could be suspended or removed from office for dishonesty, oppression, misconduct in office, gross negligence or dereliction of duty, or unauthorized absence for 15 consecutive working days.Pursuant to Administrative Order 267, s. 1992, the exercise of general supervision -- directly over provinces, highly urbanized cities and independent component cities; through the province with respect to component cities and municipalities; and through the city and municipality with respect to barangays, as mandated under Section 25 of the Local Government Code, has been delegated to the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. (DILG/RJB/JCP-PIA NCR)