BARANGAY PROJECT. Manila’s Barangay 306 in Quiapo District, in celebration of the birthday of its chair, Joey Uy Jamisola, gives out free food items in exchange for recyclable materials in this May 2021 photo. Community pantries are being organized nationwide to help residents cope with economic hardships amid the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Manila-PIO)
MANILA – Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday said there is sufficient basis in existing penal laws to enforce President Rodrigo Duterte's order to arrest village captains who will fail to enforce rules on mass gatherings.
"There are existing administrative and criminal sanctions against public officers who neglect to perform their duties," Guevarra told reporters.
DOJ Undersecretary Emmeline Villar said erring village officials may be charged with dereliction of duty.
The law penalizes "a public officer, or officer of the law who, in dereliction of the duties of his office, shall maliciously refrain from instituting prosecution for the punishment of violators of the law, or shall tolerate the commission of offenses,"
"Or it may also fall under Section 6 (a) of Bayanihan to Heal as One Act or Republic Act 11469," Villar said, referring to the provision that punishes up to two months in prison and fines from PHP10,000 to PHP1 million local government officials disobeying national government policies or directives in imposing quarantines.
Guevarra said the public will also be informed "so that the people are fully appraised and may thus act accordingly". (PNA)
