Bohol First District Board Member Benjie Arcamo has said that public officials should not be thin-skinned as they are subject to public scrutiny.
“Public officials are subject to public scrutiny and everything an official does will be subject to criticisms,” Arcamo said during his interview on “Newsmakers ug Uban Pa” with DYTR host Ardy Araneta-Batoy.
Arcamo said that the public has a right to know details about public officials, including their properties and other relevant information.
He noted that all public officials and employees are required to submit a Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
The Philippine Supreme Court has consistently upheld this principle in landmark decisions.
In Vasquez v. Court of Appeals (G.R. No. 118971, September 15, 1999), the Court ruled that “public officials must not be onion-skinned” and should expect criticism as part of democratic discourse.
Similarly, in Borjal v. Court of Appeals (G.R. No. 126466, January 14, 1999), the Court stated that public officials “have voluntarily exposed themselves to increased risk of injury from defamatory falsehood.”
In the more recent case of Tulfo v. People (G.R. No. 161032, September 16, 2008), the Court reaffirmed that “public officials are expected to have a higher tolerance for criticism” as they have “opened themselves to public scrutiny.”
“It is important to discuss issues that are of public concern,” Arcamo, a lawyer, said, adding that even officials’ health status is a matter of public interest since “public service could be jeopardized if an official is not in the pink of health.”
Rodriguez Visit ‘Strange
Arcamo described the alleged visit of senatorial candidate Vic Rodriguez to the home of the Aumentados as “strange,” noting that Governor Aris Aumentado is identified with the Marcos administration while Rodriguez is aligned with the opposition.
“While it is not illegal, people should show delicadeza and ascribe towards propriety when dealing with political forces,” Arcamo said.
Property Perceptions ‘Subjective’
Regarding comments about the Aumentado mansion in Dauis, Arcamo said perceptions about property size are subjective.
“One house may appear as small to one but may be perceived as big for another,” he said, responding to Congressman Aumentado’s comments about the publication of their Dauis residence, known as the habitual abode of the Aumentado family.
AICS Scandal
Arcamo also addressed the alleged scandal involving the disbursement of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), saying the issue is “perhaps far from the hearts of the majority” of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP).
He noted that the issue remains unresolved and SP leadership has not acted upon the matter.
According to Arcamo, numerous people would be affected if the alleged scandal were discussed at the SP.
The board member said that only the vice governor, who serves as the presiding officer, could explain why the alleged AICS scandal has not been addressed despite “a number of times that the vice governor was reminded about the issue.”
“Yet, no action has been taken,” he said.