The Lower Chamber is pushing for stiffer penalties for government officials who neglect their duties during a state of public health emergency such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Under House Bill No. 9230, proposed by leaders of the Lower House, prohibited are neglect of duty, delay in disbursement of public funds, violations of standard health protocols, and other acts and omissions.
“We should not only penalize acts of corruption, bribery or plunder. We must also deplore and punish inaction and acts that are manifest and imbued with intolerable negligence, irresponsibility, inefficiency, and lack of vision, especially during times of crisis such as this COVID-19 pandemic,” Deputy Speaker Rep. Bro Eddie Villanueva said.
Deputy Speaker Rep. Mikee Romero seconded the proposal, saying, “in the same manner, we also cannot tolerate corruption even more during this time. All government actions and efforts center on the survival and welfare of our countrymen.”
Once passed into law, HB 9230 imposes imprisonment as a possible punishment not lower than five years for government officials found guilty of the aforementioned actions, depending on the kind of violation committed. -Report by Daniel Manalastas/ JBB
