Olongapo mayor faces complaint for 'repeatedly' violating quarantine protocols —DILG

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday said a complaint was filed against Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino Jr. before the Office of the Ombudsman for repeatedly violating quarantine protocols enforced by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

According to DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, complaint for gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, alleged violations of Republic Act No. 11469 and Republic Act No. 11332 as well as open disobedience under Article 231 of the Revised Penal Code were filed against the official. 

Malaya said the DILG first issued a show cause order against Paulino in April for supposedly organizing a mass gathering during the distribution of social amelioration cards which were used in the first tranche of the Social Amelioration Program. Any form of mass gathering is prohibited during community quarantine. 

“In that instance, we already admonished him and warned him to fully comply with IATF regulations, otherwise we may be compelled to charge him,” Malaya said. 

Malaya said Paulino had again violated IATF protocols when he issued Executive Order No. 54, series of 2020 last May 21, which allows back riding or angkas in his locality. This was in contrast to the stand of the national government before that back riding is not allowed as physical distancing could not be observed in this practice. 

Malaya further noted that through EO No. 54-A, issued in May 25, Paulino did not revoke his earlier EO but simply suspended its implementation until such time that “it is consonant with the guidelines and regulations of the IATF-MEID, DOTr (Department of Transportation), LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board), DILG, or any other pertinent government agency.”

"The EO issued by the Olongapo Mayor in May clearly runs counter to the directives of the national government that were earlier issued in March as well as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act enacted on March 24,” Malaya said. 

According to the DILG official, the agency is disappointed with Paulino's actions as being the leader of Olongapo City, he should be the first one to follow the guidelines issued by the national government.

"The Bayanihan Act passed in March mandates that all LGUs should act within the letter and spirit of all the rules, regulations, and directives issued by the national government and are implementing standards of community quarantine consistent with what the national government has laid down to address COVID-19. And yet he issued his own policies inconsistent with national policies,” he said.

Malaya then called on other local chief executives to implement rules and regulations that are consistent with national policies.

Ready to explain his side

In a statement sent by the Olongapo City Information Office to GMA News Online, Paulino said he is ready to explain his side regarding the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman. 

He added that he has not received a copy of the complaint yet and he only learned about it from the news.

Paulino also explained that he did not push through with his plan to allow back-riding among his constituents. 

"Isa po ito sa mga nakita naming solusyon sa kakulangan ng public transportation noong mga panahon na iyon. Respectfully, gusto ko lang po linawin na mula po noong kami ay sinabihan ng DILG, hindi na po namin ipinatupad ang Angkas Pass," Paulino said. 

"Binawi na rin po namin and EO matapos po naming marinig ang address ng ating mahal na Pangulo noong June 5, 2020," he added. 

Paulino further stressed he supports and follows the protocols of the national government in the fight against COVID-19. —KG, GMA News