DILG files charges against

52 barangay officials

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III recently confirmed they have filed charges against 52 barangay captains and officials who allegedly participated in campaigns for candidates in the midterm elections, which are set to take place next month.

The DILG official did not identify anyone from Negros, noting, most involved officials were from Luzon and Mindanao.

Densing said they have received a total of 700 reports regarding barangay officials allegedly violating the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) joint memorandum circular which prohibits civil servants from campaigning for electoral candidates.

The DILG official added, they will be filing more charges in the coming days.

During a visit to Bacolod City earlier this month, Densing warned civil servants, including barangay officials, not to participate in campaigns for candidates in the upcoming polls.

He also encouraged the public to immediately report any barangay official or government employee engaged in such activities to the DILG.

The cabinet undersecretary said those found in violation of the memorandum face one to six years in jail.

“When the law is there, everybody should follow,” Densing added. “We have to remove the culture [where] following the law is optional.”/DGB, WDJ