Atty. Pio R. Dargantes points out situations that breach integrity and accountability in government service and are common to government employees.
The Administrative Services Division in coordination with the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas conducted a seminar-workshop on Integrity, Transparency, and Accountability in Public Services (ITAPS) among university key officials, directors, department heads, college deans, campus administrators and selected employees on July 25, 2018.
“This seminar-workshop will provide deeper understanding of our accountabilities in order to be corrupt-resistant officers whose guiding intention is to do what is right/legal for the benefit of the public, “ emphasized by Mr. Donald U. Daboy, Associate Graft Investigation Officer I, who talked on the topic Understanding Corruption.
The Speakers. (L-R) Atty Pio R. Dargantes, Regional Director, Office of the Ombudsman RO VI, Mr. Donald U. Badoy and Ms. Abigail R. Tan Yau, Associate Graft Investigation Officers I.
A point of reflection was presented by Atty. Pio R. Dargantes, Director, Office of the Ombudsman RO VI. He cited situations common to government employees that breached integrity and accountability in government service. In his deliberation on the topic, Answering to the People: Accountability of Public Officers, he mentioned of intolerable acts like waiting at the biometrics five minutes ahead of dismissal period, having a cup of coffee or doing personal business with somebody during office hours, soliciting and receiving lechon from suppliers or contractors, or even bringing home two pieces of bond paper from the office supplies for a child’s assignment. He further elaborated on the repercussion of such acts on the topic Penalizing Corruption. The regional director also accentuated RA No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees that upholds the time-honored principle of public office being a public trust.
A challenging call was delivered by Miss Abigail R. Tan Yau, Associate Graft Investigation Officer I. In her presentation on Self: Making a Difference in Public Service, she directed participants to examine themselves on what have they done and what should they do as public servant.
“This is the first time that we conducted such workshop,” said Mrs. Enieda G. Corona, Chief Administrative Officer, “but we will plan for another session for the faculty because the college deans recognized the importance of ITAPS to reinforce the commitment of the teachers in their service.”
