Aquino can’t be impeached for smoking at Palace – CSC chief

Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Francisco Duque. AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Civil Service Commission (CSC) on Wednesday said President Benigno Aquino III could not be impeached for his persistent smoking.

CSC Chairman Francisco Duque III told INQUIRER.net that “smoking is not a crime,” thus it could not be a ground for impeachment.

Duque issued the statement after CSC assistant commissioner Ariel Ronquillo said the president is violating provisions of the CSC memorandum number 17 series of 2009, which prohibits smoking in government premises.

Ronquillo said the President has been seen smoking inside the Malacañang premises.

Duque, however, disputed Ronquillo’s claim saying the provision only applies to the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

He added that smoking in designated public facilities is allowed by law.

Ronquillo’s statement, he said, was his personal opinion and not the commission’s official stand.

Malacañang on Tuesday said the President is following all of the laws of the land regarding this matter and he has not violated any of these rules.

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