Probe on City Health workers partying in office compound underway

Local

A VIDEO of Cebu City Health Department (CCHD) employees dancing and drinking alcohol within the City Health compound during office hours has triggered a government investigation.

The footage, which has gone viral online, showed a male employee removing his shirt while dancing and a female employee holding a beer bottle as she dances.

These actions have raised concerns about the behavior of public servants and the appropriateness of such conduct in a government workplace.

The anonymous whistleblower, who recorded the video, lodged a formal complaint with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) through its Contact Center ng Bayan (CCB).

The complainant described the scene as a blatant violation of civil service laws and workplace policies.

“Displaying wild behavior, alcohol intoxication, and disrespect to the City Health Office,” the complaint alleged.

The whistleblower also submitted the video as evidence and requested “disciplinary and appropriate actions” against those involved, including CCHD head Dr. Daisy Villa.

The CSC wasted no time in acting on the matter. In a letter, CSC Public Assistance and Information Office Director Fiaberna Salumbides endorsed the complaint to Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

The letter also forwarded Facebook messages from the complainant, outlining the incident as “multiple violations under civil service law of alcohol prohibition in the workplace and violation of ethical standards.”

The CSC required Garcia to acknowledge receipt of the complaint and provided the reference number “ECCB123519” for tracking the case.

By January 13, the Cebu City Government’s Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) had escalated the matter further.

In a formal endorsement addressed to Villa, and Assistant Department Head Atty. Christine Joymarie A. Perias, HRDOHead Henry P. Tomalabcad wrote:

“Respectfully endorsing to your office for prompt and appropriate action [the] anonymous complaint... for alleged violation of civil service law of alcohol prohibition in the workplace and violation of ethical standards of government employees.”

The HRDO instructed Villa and other implicated employees to submit a detailed explanation of their actions within three working days.

HRDO also directed them to send their answers directly to the CSC via email, copying the HRDO for reference.

While the accused employees have yet to release any statement, the incident has raised serious questions about professionalism and decorum in government offices.

Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, explicitly requires government workers to maintain the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.

Violations of these principles, particularly on government premises, carry administrative consequences.

The CSC’s action comes amid growing public scrutiny over government employees’ behavior.

The anonymous complainant has urged Garcia to exercise executive authority and discipline those involved in the workplace party.

Villa has not yet issued a statement on her involvement on the matter.(MyTVCebu)