DAR-7 official meted 6 months suspension

CEBU, Philippines – An official of the Department of Agrarian Reform-7 has been suspended for six months without pay for her failure to file her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente found agrarian reform officer Debbie Enarle guilty of violating Section 8(a) of Republic Act 6713, otherwise known as Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Enarle was also given a stern warning that a repetition of the same offense will be dealt with more severely.

Enarle failed to submit her SALNs from 2002 to 2007 and 2009 to 2010 as shown in the summary list of filers.

 Under Section 8(a) of RA 6713, public officials and employees have an obligation to accomplish and submit declarations under oath of their assets, liabilities, net worth and financial and business interest including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.

 “…it is imperative that every public official or government employee must make and submit a complete disclosure of his assets, liabilities and net worth in order to suppress any questionable accumulation of wealth,” Clemente said in a press statement published in its website.

 All government officials and employees are required to file their SALN yearly on or before April 30 covering the previous year up to December 31 of the current year. — (FREEMAN)