The Civil Service Commission said the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) accepting the P200,000 from former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson was illegal.
It can be recalled that Singson’s staff was apprehended by MMDA enforcers after they used the exclusive bus lane along EDSA.
Instead of defending himself, Singson was so impressed by the enforcement made by MMDA, that he decided to give P200,000 to the team of enforcers who apprehended his vehicle.
“Nakita ninyo ‘yung sinabi ko sa nag-interview na magbibigay ako ng P100,000 na papremyo sa mga nanghuli. Dahil ilang araw na nangyari, gagawin kong P200,000 ang ibibigay ko,” he stated.
MMDA accepted the reward during a ceremony and the agency said they would use the money to improve their services.
However, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) called the decision of MMDA to accept the money illegally, citing Section 7 of RA 6713, also known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”
The law cited that “public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”
CSC Commissioner Aileen Lizada said that MMDA enforcers are already being funded by the taxpayer’s money and should not accept donations from private people.
“Kung maraming magva-violate ang magbibigay ng pera kasi hinuli sila at ilalagay sa General Fund, there will be now another source of money coming in na dapat ho hindi,” Lizada explained.
“Bayad na kami, ang aming sweldo, ng taumbayan. You don’t have to reward us for doing our work, sa pananaw ko po…sa Batas 6713, bawal po,” she added.
As of writing, MMDA has yet to give their comment to the statement made by CSC.