A chairman of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in Ilocos Norte was in hot water after his colleagues boasted that the official gave them the expensive phone as their first salary.
Mark Dave Miguel, the SK Chairman of Brgy. 7 San Miguel, San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, became a social media topic due to his “gift” to other SK members.
“No more sana all. First sahod, first iPhone! Thank you SK Chairman Mark Dave Miguel the best ka talaga,” Angelique Villena Arzaga wrote.
“PS: OWN MONEY PO NI SKCHAIRMAN,” she added.
However, despite using his own money, Miguel, who’s only receiving a maximum monthly compensation of 16,223 pesos a month and his officials may be liable under section 7 of Republic Act No. 6713, the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.”
RA 6713 prohibits officials from accepting gifts.
“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,” the section read.
According to some experts, there was a reason why officials were not allowed to receive gifts, as they might have been influenced by the individual who gave them the gift.
As of writing, the LGU of San Nicolas has yet to give an official statement on the issue.