Palawan mayor charged with nepotism

MANILA, Philippines – A mayor has been accused of nepotism for allegedly appointing a relative in office.

In a 12-page complaint filed before the Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, Coron Palawan Acting Mayor Aljerico S. Barracoso was accused by resident Terencio Obispado of violating the Administrative Code as well as anti-graft law prohibitions against appointing relatives.

Based on the complaint, Barracoso appointed Romaliza Setubal Calica, the common law wife of his brother, to a permanent position as administrative aide last January.

Calica is the common law wife of the mayor’s brother, Vicente S. Barracoso Jr. They have two children.

Under the Administrative Code, appointments in the national, provincial, city and municipal governments made in favor of a relative of the appointing or recommending authority is prohibited.

In legal precedents, the Supreme Court has pointed out that the prohibition is meant to “ensure and promote the constitutional mandate that appointments in the Civil Service shall be made only according to merit and fitness and to provide within the public service a progressive system of personnel administration, and to adopt measures to promote morals.”

Obispado also charged the mayor for violation of the Anti- Graft and Corrupt Practices Act which outlaws “giving any private party any unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality.”