MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and Freyssinet project manager Alexandre Gros on Monday inspect the seismic damper that will be attached beneath the Ayala Bridge to help strengthen its foundation. MMDA advised motorists to take alternative routes, as the bridge will remain closed until October 1. (MNS photo)
MANILA, Oct 7 (Mabuhay) — At least 12 labor groups on Wednesday filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a joint criminal complaint against Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Francis Tolentino over the controversial dance performance of a girl group during the oath-taking of some members of the Liberal Party (LP) last week.
In their 10-page complaint, leaders of various labor groups charged Tolentino with violation of Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and violation of the Magna Carta of Women.
“Women, in the persons of the ‘Playgirls’ were completely discriminated by allowing them to portray obscene show in public, which is scandalous, contrary to good morals, good customs, public policy and public interest,” a copy of the complaint read.
The complainants alleged that it was Tolentino, as the chairman of the MMDA, who should be held accountable over the incident as he has the power to stop the show.
“Public officials and employees behaving with decency and in pursuing good morals, good customs and sensitivity, should not incite, encourage or tolerate acts that appeal to prurient interest or those that are deemed dirty and intended to arouse sexual cravings more particularly in public event and setting,” the complaints said.
“Tolentino et al, evidently violated this by encouraging, bringing about and allowing the subject obscene show for public viewing,” the complainants added.
The complainants also cited media reports that it was Tolentino himself who brought the Playgirls to the event as a “surprise gift” for Laguna Rep. Benjie Agarao.
Tolentino, meanwhile, issued an apology for the performance of the sexy group Playgirls during the LP event.
“Pinaaabot ko po ang paghingi ng pang-unawa, paghingi ng kapatawaran doon sa mga ating nasaktang grupo ng kababaihan dahil sa sitwasyong nangyari sa Sta Cruz, Laguna. Naging kamalian ko at tinatanggap ko ang hindi pagpigil doon sa naging performance ng mananayaw dahil ako ang pinakamataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan doon sa naturang lugar,” Tolentino said during the launching of three Pasig River ferries at the Guadalupe station in Makati City.
He added: “Kung na-offend ko po ang grupo ng kababaihan, humihingi ako ng paumanhin. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa pamilya ni Congressman Benjie Agarao, sa mga kaibigan natin sa Laguna. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin sa aking nanay na nasaktan din, sa Partido Liberal, kay Secretary Mar Roxas na hindi dapat madamay ang kanyang pangalan.”
“Muli hindi ko nakontrol, hindi ko napigilan ang naturang insidente na sa aking paniniwala at paniniwala rin ng iba ay ginagawa rin naman sa araw-araw sa harap ng milyyun-milyon sa telebisyon,” he said.
‘Undue patronage’
The complainants said the act of giving and receiving “undue patronage” or gift is also prohibited under RA 6713.
“The act of giving and consequently accepting the ‘surprise gift’ in the form of the Playgirls by Tolentino et al is clearly a case of giving and accepting, directly or indirectly a gift, seemingly motivated by impure motives,” the complainants said.
Aside from Tolentino, also included in the complaints are “John Does.”
“Sa ngayon ang identified pa lang na pinaka-involved dito ay si Chairman Tolentino, but we included in the complaint the ‘John Does’ para ‘yung mga ma-a-identify pa na iba ng Office of the Ombudsman at the course of its investigation ay maisama din sa complaint,” the complainants’ legal counsel Lorna Kapunan told reporters.
Kapunan said their complaint is “criminal and administrative in nature” and would warrant perpetual disqualification from holding public office as well as a “possible jail term depending on the discretion of the court.”
Kapunan further explained that even if the Playgirls do not find themselves as victims in the incident, a third party can still file a complaint against the public officers allegedly involved.
“Under the Magna Carta of Women, anyone can file for and in behalf of the women or children exploited. Because the spirit of the law is that most women and children do not know that they are exploited,” Kapunan said.
“As women or as minor most of them cannot decide for themselves, that is why groups such as us are filing this case…Women such as the Playgirls, are not considered as offenders. Hindi po sila ang accused dito. They are considered as victims of exploitation,” Kapunan added.
The labor groups who filed the complaint were Public Services Labor Independent Confederation (PSLINK), SENTRO, Partido Manggagawa (PM), Confederation of Independent Union in the Public Sector (CIU-PS), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Association Labor Unions (ALU)-TUCP-NAGKAISA, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), Alliance of Filipino Workers (AFW), Philippine Independent Public Sector Employees Association (PIPSEA), Association of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO), Council of Retirees-PSLINK, and Sigaw ng Kabataan Coalition (SKC).
He, however, had earlier denied that he was the one who brought the Playgirls to the LP event.
“I was just a guest at the birthday party. I did not bring any dancer/singer. The emcee probably got misinformed,” Tolentino said in a text message to media last week.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. also shared with media Tolentino’s text: “Naligaw pa nga ako sa lugar. Ang problema pagdating ko, parang kasunod ko ‘yung mga singers and dancers kaya akala kasama ko. Nalito ‘yung emcee.”
Agarao maintained he did not know who brought the Playgirls to the event, but said it was like a bachelor party.
“Parang kasalan, bago ikasal binibigyan ng isang malaking kahon ang lalaki. Kung masagwa iyan, ipapatigil natin dahil hindi tama,” he added.
Agarao also cleared Tolentino, saying, “Wala pong kinalaman si Chairman Tolentino dito at regalo ng mga kaibigan ko ang dance group para sa aking kaarawan. Aalamin ko pa nga [kung sino ang nagdala sa performers].”
Agarao also asked the media not to broadcast the footage of the group’s performance. (MNS)