January 12, 2001, Sun Star, Ombud to govt. workers: Trial must not delay service,

January 12, 2001, Sun Star, Ombud to govt. workers: Trial must not delay service,

CEBU CITY -- Do not be engrossed in watching the impeachment trial against the President so as to affect the delivery of public service. That was the warning of the Office of the Ombudsman to government employes.

The anti-graft office said the employes can be charged administratively if they fail to render public service efficiently.

Ombudsman Aniano Desierto has issued a memorandum circular to all department heads, bureaus and agencies of national and local agencies on the slowing down of public services due to the monitoring of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Ombudsman-Visayas liaison officer Estela Alma Singco said they have circulated the memorandum issued by Desierto to remind government employes of their duty to serve.

"You are hereby urged to adopt measures that the primordial interest of public service is not sacrificed, even as your offices and employes exercise their privilege to be informed," Desierto said in his memorandum.

He pointed out that the corruption and prevention units have received reports that public services in certain government offices have slowed or bogged down due to the monitoring and viewing "during office hours" by employes.

Singco said their office has not yet received any complaint or reports that public service has been hampered because the employes are watching the coverage of the impeachment trial.

"Watching the impeachment trial per se does not constitute an offense. But if the employes, who are watching the trial, can no longer serve the public effectively and efficiently, then that is where they have committed an infraction," Singco said.

Employes could be charged administratively for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employes.

In Manila, some government employes allegedly go home just to watch the Senate proceedings.

There are offices at the Palace of Justice whose employes have installed television sets just to watch the impeachment trial.