THE Office of the Ombudsman reprimanded a government officer from Surigao del Norte province after he failed to answer the letters from a provincial employee.
Surigao del Norte provincial administrator lawyer Primolito Plaza failed to reply to the letters of a certain Benjie Ruperto Latras, a provincial employee reassigned to Sta. Monica District Hospital.
In a complaint, Latras wrote Plaza dated June 8, 2015, requesting relief from property accountability of the properties under his custody prior to his reassignment to the district hospital in Sta. Monica.
A follow-up letter was made on November 21, 2015 but both letters were ignored by the provincial administrator.
The Ombudsman, in a decision, said there is a substantial evidence to prove that Plaza failed to answer complainant’s letters.
“Plaza’s contention, without other corroborating evidence, that he verbally advised complainant on the procedure of turning over the properties under his charge, is without merit,” the Ombudsman said.
It added that by failing to act on complainant’s letters-request, Plaza unjustifiably failed to attend to one who wanted to avail himself of the services of the provincial office.
Under the Republic Act 6713, or The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, it is the duty of the public officials to “act promptly on letters and requests within 15 working days from receipt thereof…”
The reply must contain the action taken on the request, the Ombudsman said.
