By Lito Rulona
COUNCILOR Alvin Calingin has called on public officials to live decent and simple lives even as he stressed the need for people in government to be accountable to citizens.
Calingin said this in the wake of The Gold Star Daily stories that exposed what has been seen as the lavish lifestyle of Rep. Jose Benjamin Benaldo of the city’s 1st District.
Calingin and Benaldo are members of the Padayon Pilipino; both are known defenders of the Emano administration.
He was reluctant at first but decided to speak in general terms and did not mention Benaldo’s name.
Calingin, a lawyer by profession, cited Section I, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution which provides that “public officers must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and lead modest lives.”
“Kung mahimo simple lang atong panginabuhi as public officials. Unya kinahanglan ehemplo sa publiko. These are mandatory provisions under the law. Kung imong supakon then you cannot be in public service. All public officials and employees should follow what is provided under the Constitution,” he said.
He said that even if a public official belongs to a wealthy family, he or she should not live lavishly in the public eye.
“Public office is a public trust. Officers and employees are accountable to the people and kinahanglan ang atong mga public official kinahanglan nga mahimo og ehemplo sa katawhan, dili mahimo nga imong i-display ang imong unsa diha,” Calingin said.
Calingin said public officials who have lavish lifestyles could be charged with violation of Section 4 of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
He said the law provides that “‘public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form.’
“Kung duna kay butang nga hilas kaayo tan-awon ayaw na i-display. Under the Civil Code, anybody can file a complaint against any public official for [too much] display of wealth––kanang bang hilas na kaayo.”
Opposition Councilors Edgar Cabanlas and Roger Abaday and at least one civil society group asked Benaldo to explain his wealth.
Serious questions have been raised about the congressman’s frequent travels abroad and his expensive wardrobe and accessories.
Benaldo has reportedly declared a net worth of over P30 million as of 2011.
Cabanlas said Benaldo should go easy on his lifestyle and show some finesse.
Benaldo has requested this paper to keep his statements off the record. But in another paper, he was quoted as saying that he was single and therefore, free to date anyone. He also claimed to have over 80 projects since he became a congressman two years ago and he should be judged based on his performance.
signature clothing and rolex has become a status symbol for government officials… ka hilas ba! keep in mine that we are a third world country… ka hilas ba!
signature clothing and rolex has become a status symbol for government officials… ka hilas ba! keep in mine that we are a third world country… hilas kayo
signature clothing and rolex has become a status symbol for government officials… ka hilas ba! keep in mine that we are a third world country… hilas kaayo
KINSA GANI TO NAG INGON NA WLAY ILLEGAL ANG GI BUHAT NI BENALDO, NGA DATU SILA DAAN UG BULAG NA SILA SA IYA ASAWA??? KINSA GANI TO??? LABAND JUD MAYOR… PANGILAD NAPUD SA KATAWHAN SA CAGAYAN DE ORO… PAGKA WAY PUANGOD NA TAO!!!! UNYA UNSA MAN LUGAR KANA NA BALAOD???? RASON CGE RASON PANGILAD LANG… HIMOON JUD BUGOK ANG TAGA KAGAYAN…. TANAN IMO STORYA BAKAK…. DAKO KAAYO NA BAKAK!!!!!!!!
si alvin, nag sulti ana? hahaha… alvin? alvin calingin lagi? naa pa ba diay credibility kana nga tawo? iapil nas alvin calingin ug imbestigar sa iyang hidden wealth.!!!
“He also claimed to have over 80 projects since he became a congressman two years ago and he should be judged based on his performance.” -sa 80 ka projects ni benaldo, pila ra man pud ang na human. ginagmay nga semento sa mga dalan nga pwede maski ang kapitan ra sa barangay muhimo (pinili pa gyud). tanawa gani iyang gipahimo nga drainage diha sa apovel kay wala gyud ma human, naka cause pa hinuon ug grabe nga lapok inig mag ulan. unya, kung mag night life, halos di na moundang ug gasto.
BECOZ OF BENALDO, DONGKOY AND HIS PARTY WILL SURELY LOSE THIS 2013 ELECTION !!! DONGKOY MUST PUT ALL THE BLAME TO BENALDO !!! WALA NA SILA CREDIBILIDAD !!!
walay laing mabasol ani kun dili ang mga taong butol nga mibotar aning mga klase sa politiko. kung sa bagay wala pud politiko sa pilipinas nga dili kurakot. tanan kurakot mao na gusto kaayo nila nga mga katawhan padayon sa pagpamaligya sa ilang mga boto para ila ma justify ilang pagpangurakot na unya sa kaban ng bayan. filipinos noted to be the most educated idiots by some nationalities especially in the western side of the globe will continue to be a unique country appropriate to its tourism advocacies as WOW Philippines and recently, it’s more fun in the philippines! it speaks not only its natural habitats but also the kind of people it has being funny… known to be one of the happiest or funniest people in this world.