DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. (File photo)
MANILA – Two officials of a village in Dasmariñas City, Cavite who were caught having sex during a supposed online meeting may still face charges despite quitting their posts, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday.
“Even if they resign, they will still face charges depending on what they did during their tenure in office,” Año told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the DILG can still pursue administrative charges against Barangay Fatima Dos chairperson Jesus Estil.
Malaya stressed that “resignation does not extinguish his administrative liability since the act was done while he was in office’’.
“But he can no longer be suspended or relieved but instead fine or disqualification from public office may be imposed against him,’’ Malaya said.
He noted the DILG has yet to receive Estil's resignation letter.
Malaya said the agency's investigation team was asked to submit at the soonest possible time the result of its investigation to determine the liability of Estil and his partner and recommend his prosecution to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) of Dasmariñas.
Cavite guv: No tolerance but compassion needed
In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said there is no need to probe the alleged Zoom sex scandal involving barangay officials in Dasmariñas City, Cavite as both officials have already quit from their respective posts.
In a separate Facebook post, Remulla asked for compassion towards the two officials but clarified he is not defending their actions.
"They are inexcusable and ignorant (referring to the actions), What I am asking for, is a little compassion. I am sure the families involved are wounded and hurting deeply. Dala nila ang kahihiyan na ito habang buhay. (They will bring this sense of shame for the rest of their lives). The humiliation alone is enough punishment for those involved," he said.
He also appealed to the public to move on from the issue.
"Let those who are perfect in every way judge another's act. Let those who have never sinned be the first to render opinion," he added.
The video of Estil and the village treasurer went viral on social media after they were caught doing the obscene act during a supposed Zoom meeting regarding their barangay’s plans in beating the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). (PNA)
