Talisay worker faces administrative raps

CEBU, Philippines – A government employee is facing administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas for allegedly using office hours to tend to her sari-sari store in Barangay Tangke, Talisay City.

Elaine Echavez, an employee of the Talisay City government assigned at the Parks and Playground Commission, was accused by Olivia Tambasen, 38, of using government hours for her personal interest.

Tambasen, resident of Barangay Tangke and a job order employee of the city government, said that Echavez would tend to her store instead of doing her job at the Parks and Playground Commission. 

“Under the Anti-Graft Law and Presidential Decree No. 6 amending certain Rules on Discipline of Government Officials and Employees, it is illegal for a government employee to be doing something else like a money-making business while on duty. Obviously, Echavez is violating these laws by performing acts which she should not be doing,” the complaint read.

Tambasen said Echavez reports to the park at 9 a.m. and goes home at 5 p.m. But most of the time Echavez is busy tending her store.

According to Tambasen, he also used to be under Echavez and had been assigned to watch over her store.

Tambasen is asking the anti-graft body to place Echavez under preventive suspension.

Echavez denied the allegation but admitted hanging around in her sari-sari store during office hours.

“Wala man mi opisina sa park…maong adto mi manglingkod sa tindahan,” she said in a text message. —/FPL (FREEMAN)