Palace dismisses NCSC exec over serious dishonesty, grave misconduct

Malacañang has dismissed National Commission of Senior Citizens Commissioner Reymar Mansilungan after he was held administratively liable for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

In a 16-page decision signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, it was indicated that public officials and employees are obliged to remain true to the people at all times as mandated by the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

''Integrity is the capital of government workforce, hence dishonest acts are much to be condemned,'' the decision stressed.

An administrative case against Mansilungan was filed by Miguelito Garcia and Senior Citizens party-list Representative Rodolfo Ordanes for serious dishonesty, gross neglect of duty, grave misconduct, gross insubordination, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service antecedents.

In their respective complaints, Garcia and Ordanes alleged that Mansilungan misrepresented his educational qualifications in his application for the position of Commissioner of the NCSC.

They pointed out that in his résumé, Mansilungan indicated that he had obtained a degree in Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (Journalism) from the University of the Philippines (UP).

However, they found out that Mansilungan neither graduated from nor attended school in UP as proven by a certification issued by the Office of the University Registrar, stating that there had been no record of enrollment of Mansilungan in the said institution.

Aside from the alleged misrepresentation, the complainants also said Mansilungan spent a significant amount of time and NCSC resources when he traveled and attended affairs in South Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao, which were beyond his jurisdiction.

He was only appointed as NCSC Commissioner for North Luzon, with authority and constituency only in Regions 1 to 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

There was also an allegation that he allowed the grant of bonuses to ineligible personnel under contract of service and the refusal to appoint an executive director nominated through the executive secretary.

In response to the allegations, Mansilungan had denied misrepresenting his educational background through a letter he had submitted to the Office of the President, stressing that he had completed his journalism course.

On the claim of using NCSC resources for private affairs outside his jurisdiction, Mansilungan averred that Section 4 of Republic Act No. 11350 provides no restriction on commissioners from performing functions outside of their respective assigned geographical regions.

On giving bonuses, he argued that he had recommended the grant of bonuses to the personnel who had served two years with the NCSC before they became coterminous staff.

In making a decision as regards the complaints, the Office of the President stated that Mansilungan's explanation of his false educational background was belatedly made.

''It was made only after the complaints were filed against him. This shows that Mansilungan had no intention to correct the untruthful entries in his résumé until the falsity was discovered,'' it stated.

On the bonuses, ''there was a flagrant disregard of established rules and a clear willful intent to violate the law attendant to the act, making him liable for grave misconduct.''

Further, the OP found that Mansilungan is liable for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for the misrepresentation of his educational attainment and for his recommendation to grant mid-year bonuses to ineligible individuals as these acts have tarnished the image and integrity of the NCSC.

Ordanes, for his part, said Malacañang's decision has proven that their recommendation for Mansilungan's dismissal has basis.

''Napatunayan naman nila na may basis ang recommendation at resulta ng investigation kaya nag-issue ang Malacañang ng dismissal order,'' he told GMA News Online.

(They have proven that there was a basis for the recommendation and results of the investigation which resulted in the Malacañang dismissal order.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News