Gov’t workers told: Stay away from casinos

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Government officials and employees were enjoined to strictly comply with the prohibition from entering, staying or playing at casino joints.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael Sueno issued this reminder in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s similar directive.

The President through the Office of the Executive Secretary issued Memorandum Circular No. 06 enjoining all government officials and employees to strictly observe and comply with the prohibition against going to gambling casinos.

The said circular was issued “in view of the President’s Directive to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to strictly implement and prohibit all government officials from entering casinos.”

This was also done “to appropriately address the negative effect on the public perception of government service as a whole that the mere entry of presence of government officials and employees in a gambling casino shall be considered as conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, unless the same was in the performance of official duties and functions.”

Mayor Mauricio Domogan reminded city government workers to abide by the directive.    

According to Sueno, the mere entry or presence of government officials and employees in casino joints will considered as “conduct prejudicial to the nest interest of the service unless the same was in the performance of official duties and functions.”

As such, violators can be held liable to applicable Civil Services Rules and Regulations and other laws.