Nepotism case filed vs Marina exec

MANILA, Philippines - A group of seafarers in the country has filed a complaint against an official of the Maritime Industry Authority for appointing her relatives to the agency.

In a complaint filed before Malacañang, the United Filipino Seafarers said lawyer Gloria Banas, Marina deputy administrator for operation, violated the prohibitory norm against nepotism in the public service as set out in Section 59, Book V of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987.

Banas is the Chairperson of the Personnel Selection Board of Marina and is the current Deputy Administrator for Operations. She is a presidential appointee of President Benigno Aquino III.

UFS president and engineer Nelso Ramirez said that Banas committed nepotism when she appointed her sister-in-law, Ma. Melinda Victoria, to be her executive assistant; and her brother, Engineer Rizal Victoria, as Officer-in-Charge, Maritime Safety Audit Division of the Maritime Safety Office, a unit under her supervision and control.

"The law on nepotism is very clear on the matter.  All appointments   made in favor of a relative of the appointing or recommending authority, or of the chief of the bureau or office, or of the persons exercising immediate supervision over him, are prohibited," Ramirez said.

In the complaint, Ramirez is asking the Office of the President to dismiss Banas from public office in line with the President’s Daang Matuwid (straight path) governance program.

Ramirez said he is also contemplating filing a disbarment case before the Supreme Court against Banas for her ignorance of the law and abuse of authority.

Ramirez also called on Malacañang to order the immediate suspension of Banas while the case is being heard.

"We will not take such insolence sitting down. Why tackle appointments first when there are long lines of seafarers in Marina waiting for the release of seaman’s book and certificates of competency?" he said.