SC fines government worker for frequent absences

The Supreme Court fined a utility worker assigned to the records division under the Office of the Court Administrator for incurring 21 days of unauthorized absences from March to May this year.

This as it ruled that the lack of money for transportation fare is not a valid reason for government employees to be absent from their jobs.

But the high tribunal said it might mitigate the possible punishment imposed against the employee Fernando Pascual.

In his explanation, Pascual who has been in government service for 26 years, claimed that his absences was due to failing health as he had experienced abnormal blood pressure and frequent headaches.

Pascual said there was a time when he needed to take care of his sick children. The SC's medical officer affirmed that Pascual had repeated consultations with the clinic since 1979 for various complaints.

The SC concurred with the comments of the court administrator that Pascual's lack of funds, which prevented him from going to the office, is not sufficient or valid reason for him to be absent.

"These would only mitigate, but not exempt him from the infraction," the court administrator said.

Associate Justice Consuelo Santiago, who penned the decision, said "to inspire public respect for the justice system, court officials and employees are at all times behooved to strictly observe official time."

"As punctuality is a virtue, absenteeism and tardiness are impermissible," said the SC in an en banc decision.

But the SC only fined Pascual P2,000 and gave him a chance to pay the fine in ten equal monthly installments of P200, but he was warned to refrain from committing a similar offense in the future. - Rene U. Borromeo