ANGELES CITY – Councilor Agapito “Pitong” Del Rosario has filed “grave misconduct” charges before the Ombudsman against Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting in connection with her alleged four-day trip to Macau last year.
Del Rosario, in a press statement, said that “leaving one’s stations may prejudice public interest and can be done with proper permission as provided for by law.”
“Such leave may involve not only stoppage or delay in the discharge of duties but also expense on the part of the government. But whether or not the travel is at the expense of the public official concerned does not do away with the permission required by law,” he said adding that his complaint was received by the Ombudsman in Luzon on February 13.
Cabigting, for her part, said she has yet to receive copies of the charges.
But she said that “all the necessary permits were secured before the trip.”
“I know they are waiting for me to make a mistake why should I not secure permits? Besides, no government fund was used in the trip,” said Cabigting. She also said that she “will leave it to the people to determine the motive of Del Rosario and his group.”
The complaint said Cabigting has violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and should be “preventively suspended from public office for a period of 90 days.”
Del Rosario noted that “two unmistakable improprieties” were committed by Cabigting when she did not secure the required permission or travel authority from the DILG; and failure to apply for leave of absence during the period between October 25 and 28 last year.
Del Rosario, in the compliant, said that “these actuations of the respondent amounted to grave misconduct since they are inimical to public service warranting appropriate sanctions.”
Del Rosario, in a press statement, said that “leaving one’s stations may prejudice public interest and can be done with proper permission as provided for by law.”
“Such leave may involve not only stoppage or delay in the discharge of duties but also expense on the part of the government. But whether or not the travel is at the expense of the public official concerned does not do away with the permission required by law,” he said adding that his complaint was received by the Ombudsman in Luzon on February 13.
Cabigting, for her part, said she has yet to receive copies of the charges.
But she said that “all the necessary permits were secured before the trip.”
“I know they are waiting for me to make a mistake why should I not secure permits? Besides, no government fund was used in the trip,” said Cabigting. She also said that she “will leave it to the people to determine the motive of Del Rosario and his group.”
The complaint said Cabigting has violated Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and should be “preventively suspended from public office for a period of 90 days.”
Del Rosario noted that “two unmistakable improprieties” were committed by Cabigting when she did not secure the required permission or travel authority from the DILG; and failure to apply for leave of absence during the period between October 25 and 28 last year.
Del Rosario, in the compliant, said that “these actuations of the respondent amounted to grave misconduct since they are inimical to public service warranting appropriate sanctions.”
