The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is preparing to file cases before the Office of the Ombudsman against several local officials who left the country at the height of the threats and impacts of Typhoon Tino and Super Typhoon Uwan.
In a media interview on Monday, November 17, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that around 24 local officials may soon face three possible charges.
“Abandonment of duty, gross neglect, insubordination kasi may order na kami na huwag umalis, umalis pa rin eh. So titingnan namin ‘yan,” Remulla said.
He clarified that some local officials from Cebu who left the country before Typhoon Tino struck are also included.
“Oo lahat sila. The nice thing about being a secretary is hindi ka political eh. So kung sino ang kailangang parusahan, paparusahan natin,” the secretary added.
Remulla earlier raised the possibility of filing charges on November 12, after it was confirmed that several local officials still traveled abroad despite DILG’s directive for them to remain in their respective jurisdictions as the storms approached.
The DILG emphasized that under the Local Government Code of 1991 and Republic Act No. 10121, local chief executives serve as the chairpersons of their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs), and are required to physically lead disaster response efforts.