DILG chief defends nightlife check

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. defended yesterday the move of President Arroyo to order a nightlife check on government officials and imposing a ban preventing police officers from entering bars and nightclubs.

"A public officer must conduct himself ethically. Being seen at a nightspot in a frequent manner raises suspicion among the people that this policeman, fireman or jail guard or government official is not conducting himself in accordance with ethical standards," Lina said.

He said public officials going to nightspots could be liable for misconduct and an act of unbecoming of a public official.

"So, definitely public officials should be more circumspect in going to places like nightclubs. So there is basis for the President for calling the attention of public servants who frequent nightspots," he said.

Lina added that erring government officials should be meted with necessary disciplinary action.

Meanwhile, Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) Undersecretary Teresita Baltazar said the issue of the check is more about corruption than just banning cops and officials from nightclubs.

"This lifestyle check is just one of the components in the campaign against corruption. The issue is corruption. Going to these clubs you can afford is not an issue. It is just one of the items being looked into," said Baltazar during a TV talk show last Thursday night.

Philippine National Police ((PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. maintained that the order on "night-clubbing" cops will stay despite various adverse reactions coming from various sectors.

"Pasensyahan na lang at may pinapatupad tayo," Ebdane stressed in the same program.

Perry Mariano, spokesman of Association of Club, Karaoke and Disco Owners (ACKDO), described the campaign as "ningas-kugon." "Yung jaywalking nga hindi natin ma-solve," ito pa," he said, referring to the ban.

Ebdane stressed that the directive banning police personnel from going to nightspots is focused more on the organization, not the individuals.

"If a policeman is seen at nightspots, it could be perceived as giving protection. This is what we are preventing. We are concerned about the organization," the PNP chief said.

Ebdane personally led top PNP officials last Monday night in inspecting the Classmate and Mystique nightclubs in Quezon City in search of police officers.

"Ang masasabi ko, mayroong pinapatupad ng regulation at habang nandito ang memorandum na ipapatupad naming ito. Kung kailangan mag-relieve ng mga commanders, gagawin ko," Ebdane said.

Baltazar expressed optimism that government’s campaign against corruption under the present administration will bear fruit even beyond President Arroyo’s term.

"We are trying to institutionalize our program against corruption, and the lifestyle check is just one of them. With the partnership with civil society, we expect that this will be sustained beyond any administration," she said.