Filtered By: Topstories
News

DILG's Año says he refused gifts from local officials


Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said that he does not accept gifts with monetary values from local government officials and that he told the police officers to do the same.

"Dito sa akin sa DILG, my policy is—it's written—I do not accept gift from any governor, mayor, barangay captain. If they send gifts, it will just be returned to them," Año said in an exclusive interview on GMA's FYI with Richard Heydarian.

"Just returned because I don't think mayors should give gifts to me," he added.

Año underscored that in order to reform the Philippine National Police (PNP) in terms of efficiency in serving the people, they should be disciplined and appointed to positions based on a merit system.

"In one command conference, I told them I don't want any of them to accept any token, to accept any gift, to have dinner, lunch with politicians, and not to accept any bribe or gambling money," he said.

"May isang exemption lang dun sa anti-graft and corrupt practices. If you receive gifts that are not of significant value and it was given out of gratitude or just a mere token, these are exempted. Pero pag may monetary value na siya that's different," he added.

Asked whether expensive shirts must be accepted, Año said no.

Former senator and incumbent PNP chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa on Monday admitted that he accepted gifts, including a branded shirt, from civilians whom he has helped during his stint as a police officer.

“Hindi ‘yan hinihingi ng pulis, kusang binibigay at tulong sa trabaho ng pulis bakit hindi namin tanggapin... Huwag tayong magkunwari, huwag tayong magbalatkayo na hindi tayo tumatanggap. Lacoste na t-shirt tinanggap ko. Nasa kultura natin ‘yan e," Dela Rosa said.

Año said that there is no specified threshold for the price of tokens that government officials and employees may accept.

"Walang threshold dun eh. It's really the integrity and the conscience of the officials involved," he said.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte said that cops may receive gifts from generous benefactors.

“Kung bigyan kayo tanggapin n’yo. It is not bribery... What I mean is if there is generosity in them. Sabi ng anti-graft you cannot accept gifts. Kalokohan,” he said.

“You guys from Davao, alam n’yo yan. If you are able to solve a crime  and the family would like to be generous to you or a feeling of gratitude for what you accomplished, by all means accept it,” he added.

The PNP, in response, said that it submits to the "better wisdom" of the lawyer-president. — Dona Magsino/MDM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT