As Their First Salary, Colleagues of an SK Chairman Receive iPhone
MARK DAVE MIGUEL – The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman of Brgy. 7 San Miguel in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, is under scrutiny after giving expensive phones to his colleagues as their initial salary.
The issue came to light when Angelique Villena Arzaga, one of the recipients, thanked Miguel on social media for the iPhone, highlighting that he used his own money. Despite this, Miguel, who earns a maximum of 16,223 pesos per month, and his officials may be violating section 7 of Republic Act No. 6713, also known as the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.” This law prohibits public officials from accepting gifts in the course of their duties.
“No more sana all. First sahod, first iPhone! Thank you SK Chairman Mark Dave Miguel the best ka talaga,” Angelique Villena Arzaga wrote. “PS: OWN MONEY PO NI SKCHAIRMAN,” she added.
RA 6713 explicitly states that public officials and employees should not seek or accept any gift, favor, entertainment, loan, or anything of monetary value in connection with their official duties or any operations regulated by their office. The purpose of this prohibition is to prevent officials from being influenced by gift-givers.
The revelation has sparked discussions about the ethical implications of Miguel’s actions, despite his good intentions. Experts emphasize that the rule against accepting gifts exists to maintain the integrity of public officials and avoid potential conflicts of interest.
As the situation develops, the local government unit (LGU) of San Nicolas has yet to issue an official statement addressing the controversy. The case underscores the complexities and potential risks in public service, where even well-intentioned actions can raise significant ethical and legal concerns. Miguel’s situation serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to established codes of conduct to uphold public trust and accountability in governance.