NEWS BRIEFS

OMBUDSMAN REMINDS ELECTED OFFICIALS OF ‘7 COMMANDMENTS’

DEPUTY Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol is set to meet with the newly-elected government officials in Cebu to brief them on their duties.
“This serves as a reminder to newly-elected officials to be careful. The Office of the Ombudsman is sincere in its fight against graft and corruption. It’s not easy to be sued before the anti-graft office,” Apostol told reporters yesterday.
He encouraged citizens and the media to join the campaign.
The first rule, he said, is for newly elected officials to submit their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN).
“This will be our basis if the person accumulates ill-gotten wealth after he or she assumed government office,” said Apostol.
Second, avoid making short cuts, especially in procurement of goods and services.
Third, commit to to one’s mind and heart the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713).
Fourth, be humble enough to ask advice from the Department of Interior and Local Government, or the Office of the Ombudsman on the proper ways to deliver service without delays.
Fifth: Live simply.
Sixth, prohibit solicitations. This means that any form of bribery should not be tolerated.
He said that indirect bribery such as personal favors and loan selected availability are common practices, also punishable by law.
Lastly, Apostol reminded public officials that private practice should not be continued once a person is already in office. /Ador Vincent Mayol and Carine M. Assutilla

LABELLA, PE DISAGREE ON PRIVATE PRACTICE FOR CITY HALL STAFF

OUTGOING Cebu City Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. and incoming vice mayor Edgardo Labella disagree on whether professionals working in City Hall need the mayor’s nod to pursue their private practice.
Pe’s resolution was aproved by the City Council last Wednesday in its last session before the June 30 end of their term. It would require professionals like lawyers to seek the approval of the mayor if they pursue private practice while employed by City Hall.
Labella wanted the resolution studied first by the council’s laws committee to determine if it runs counter to existing laws and policies.
The resolution would affect lawyers at the city legal office who also engage in private practice. Labella said that under the present set up, City Hall lawyers file for a leave of absence each time they appear in court to defend a private client./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac

CPA ASSERTS RIGHT OVER MARITIMA BUILDING, LOT

THE Cebu Port Authority (CPA) insists that its ownership of the lots where the Compania Maritima building stands is based on legal and historical facts.
In a press statement, CPA cited Presidential Decree 857, which removed the functions of the Bureau of Customs from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). All port facilities like the intangible assets , powers, rights, foreshore rights, interests, and privileges were transferred from the Bureau of Customs and Bureau of Public Works to the PPA.
The Compania Maritima building is a pre-war building built on foreshore land sometime in 1910.
Upon the expiration of all Foreshore Lease Agreements (FLA), the property automatically becomes the property of the government.
The PPA Charter , Compania Maritima and surrounding port premises , including all other port properties and facilities were transferred to the PPA from the BOC.
With the creation of the Cebu Ports Authority, the Compania Maritima properties were turned over by the PPA to the CPA.
Last week, the Cebu City government removed the fence put up by CPA on the contested land as assertion of ownership over the lot. /Correspondent Michelle Joy L. Padayhag