Second ethics complaint filed vs. Tolentino over Playgirls issue

Another complaint was filed against resigned Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino over the controversial dance performance of a girl group shortly after the oath-taking of some Liberal Party members in Laguna last October 1.

In a six-page complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, women’s party-list group Gabriela charged Tolentino of violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and violation of the Magna Carta of Women for his alleged failure to stop the supposedly lewd dance performance of the group Playgirls.

“Respondent committed gross misconduct, that is corrupt, unprincipled, reprehensible, shocks the community’s sense of decency, offends the dignity of women and perpetuates or encourages the commodification of women, thus, making them liable under the law,” the complaint read.

Aside from Tolentino, also named as respondents in the complaint are John Does, or the persons who may be found liable by the Office of the Ombudsman at the course of the investigation of the complaint.

The complainants said that while Tolentino had already resigned from his post, he must still be held criminally liable as he was the MMDA chairman when the incident happened.

“Respondent Tolentino, who is not only then the head of a government agency, but who is also a lawyer by profession, failed to maintain and promote the required ethical standard as a public official,” the complaint read.

Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi De Jesus further said that while Tolentino has already denied that he was the one who brought Playgirls to the event as a “surprise gift” for the birthday of Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao, the former MMDA chairman as well as the officials of the LP must still be held accountable for the incident for their alleged inaction about it.

“Not one government official had the decency to stop the performance. They were all responsible for the lewd party that ensued and they should all be held accountable. Kailangang maturuan ng leksyon ang mga gumawa nito upang matiyak na hindi ito maulit,” De Jesus told reporters after the filing of the complaint.

This is the second complaint filed against Tolentino over the Playgirls incident.

On Wednesday last week, several labor groups also charged Tolentino of the same offenses before the Office of the Ombudsman.

On the same day, Tolentino publicly apologized for the incident and announced his resignation from MMDA. He, however, said he resigned from his post as MMDA chair to seek higher office in 2016 elections. —KBK, GMA News