OFFICE PARTY. Workers and officials of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) Port Management Office Bohol (PMO Bohol) are caught on surveillance camera having a party at the port's multi-purpose hall on August 16. PPA General Manager Jay Santiago on Friday (August 18, 2023) sacked nine officials for their hand in the party, as he emphasized that a government office is not the place for drinking. (Photo courtesy of PPA)
MANILA – Nine officials at the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) Port Management Office Bohol ((PMO Bohol) have been sacked after they were caught having a party and drinking alcohol inside the port’s multi-purpose hall on Wednesday.
In a statement on Friday, the PPA said an investigation of the office’s surveillance video revealed PMO Bohol employees, officials, members of the port police, and a guest band joining the party led by Acting Port Manager Lord Tyrone Agaton.
Those sacked include Agaton, PMO Bohol Port Services Division Manager Julius Jumangit, lawyer Sherlito Columnas Jr. from the legal department, Safety Officer Romeo Cabading II, and port police officers Edcel Epan, Victor Cagulada, Mary Maricka Aguirre, Meljann Oronan, and Emily Ross Tubio.
PPA General Manager Jay Santiago said the individuals failed to show respect to office facilities and abused their power as government officials.
“Wala puwang sa pamahalaan ang mga opisyal na ginagawang inuman ang opisina, kahit birthday o anumang okasyon (There is no place in the government for officials who hold drinking sessions at the office, whether for birthdays or any other occasions),” Santiago said.
He emphasized the PPA’s resolve in ensuring proper monitoring of the 130 PPA ports nationwide.
“Patunay lamang ito na hindi tayo nagpapabaya sa ating tungkulin na ayusin ang pantalan at mga kawani nito (This proves that we are committed to our responsibility of putting our ports and its personnel in order)” he said.
According to PPA Special Order No. 589-2023 issued on Friday, Agaton has been reassigned back to his previous position as a principal engineer at PMO Western Leyte/Biliran.
His position as the acting port manager at PMO-Bohol will be taken over by Jon Gabriell Manansala, the current acting port manager at PMO Bataan/Aurora.
The special order also named Jenneliza Rebong as Manansala’s replacement at PMO Bataan/Aurora. (PNA)
