Councilor seeks DILG, PB, Ombuds opinion on pregnant SK chair

A municipal councilor of Consolacion is seeking the opinion of the Provincial Board, the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Ombudsman about whether the Sangguniang Kabataan chairwoman of the town can continue holding her office now that she is pregnant out of wedlock.

In his October 2 letter, Consolacion municipal councilor Arnulfo Aurelio Abinales asked about whether the SK chairwoman should continue to be an ex-officio member of the municipal council despite her condition, and what possible sanctions can be imposed upon her.

He said his move is aimed at protecting the SK chairwoman's dignity and the integrity of the municipal council.

But in his response, DILG regional director Rene Burdeos said the Local Government Code, Administrative Code of 1987 and the 2001 Sangguniang Kabataan Constitution and By-laws did not mention about immorality being ground for disciplinary action against an elective local official.

However, the LGC provides that elective officials may be disciplined on other grounds. Under the civil service law, disgraceful and immoral conduct is a ground for disciplinary actions.

Burdeos added that any disciplinary action against an SK chairman sitting as ex-officio member in the municipal council should be brought to the Provincial Board, the Ombudsman or the SK federation.

However, during yesterday's session of the Provincial Board, board member Victor Maambong suggested that Abinales' letter be referred to the office of Ramon Martin Calderon, president of the Provincial Federation of Sangguniang Kabataan, and the Provincial Board committee on women, which is headed by board member Agnes Magpale. - Flor Z. Perolina