8 PPA Bohol officials, personnel removed over office party

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Eight officials and personnel of the Port Management Office in Bohol were removed from their posts for unethical conduct at a birthday party at work.

Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago removed Acting Port Manager Lord Tyrone Agaton, PMO Bohol Port Services Division Manager Julius Jumangit, Atty. Sherlito Columnas Jr. of the legal department, Safety Officer Atty. Romeo Cabading II and five port police officers, namely Edcel Epan, Victor Cagulada, Mary Maricka Aguirre, Meljann Oronan, and Emily Ross Tubio.

CCTV footage showed the group dancing, singing, and drinking inside PMO Bohol’s multipurpose hall on August 16.

According to the PPA, Agaton’s birthday was being celebrated at the gathering. Agaton later apologized, saying they were dancing and singing because they were already drunk.

There is no place in government for officials who convert their workplace into a bar, Santiago said, adding the latter should instead serve as role models for their staff members.

“Kahit saang anggulo mo tingnan, mali talaga eh, buti na lang mayroon tayong mga gumaganang CCTV o yung surveillance system natin sa buong pantalan na sakop ng PPA na na-momonitor natin sa head office,” he said.

(It was wrong, no matter how you looked at it. It’s a good thing the CCTV, or surveillance system, of the PPA-controlled port that the head office could monitor was operational.)

”Patunay lamang ito na hindi tayo nagpapabaya sa ating tungkulin na ayusin ang pantalan at mga kawani nito at patunay rin ito na seryoso tayo sa pagsasaayos ng 130 na pantalan nationwide,” he added.

(It demonstrates our commitment to improving the port and its employees and our seriousness about improving the 130 ports across the country.) — Jiselle Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News