Tulfo wants probe on rude gov’t workers, eyes ‘Anti-Taray’ bill
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo is seeking a probe on the “arrogant and condescending” behavior of government workers who, he said, are “creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust in government institutions, agencies, and personnel.”
Tulfo sought the probe through Senate Resolution No. 554 intending to craft an “Anti-Taray” bill that will impose stiffer penalties on government employees guilty of misconduct, harassment, and even human rights violations.
In the resolution, the senator cited the recent controversy of a Filipina traveler who was offloaded from a plane to Israel after being “unreasonably and unnecessarily” questioned by an Immigration officer at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Tulfo, in a separate statement on Wednesday, said it is common to hear complaints, especially from poor citizens, that they were not properly assisted by government workers on duty; worse, they were insulted, shouted at, and humiliated.
“Panahon na upang maparusahan ang mga kawani ng gobyerno na nambabastos, namamahiya, naninigaw at kumakawawa sa mga kababayan natin na pumupunta sa kanilang tanggapan para makipagtransaksyon. Ang empleyado ng gobyerno dapat ay pasensyoso at nagseserbisyo, hindi nagsusuplado,!” he said.
(It is time to punish government workers who disrespect, humiliate, shout at, and insult Filipinos who go to their offices to seek services. Government employees should be patient when serving the people; they should not be rude.)
Article continues after this advertisementThe senator said government employees are not worthy to hold a position in public office if they cannot be courteous to the public.
Article continues after this advertisementThis, he said, is particularly expected of government workers on duty during this week-long Holy Week break, including immigration officers attending to the bulk of Filipinos traveling to their respective provinces, and police officials expected to maintain peace and security in different destinations nationwide.
He added that government workers should treat the Filipino public as their boss since their compensation is being paid for by the citizens.
The senator also cited a 2020 survey conducted by the Development Academy of the Philippines designed to measure citizens’ and businesses’ ratings of frontline government services. The results showed a decline in the citizen satisfaction score of government services, from 86.93 in 2018 to 70.14 in 2020.
With this, he said it is “necessary” to conduct an inquiry on the matter, with the end view of proposing remedial measures to address the situation.
Once crafted and passed into law, the Anti-Taray Bill will sanction rude and snobbish government workers with dismissal from service and perpetual disqualification from public office, Tulfo said.
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