High-ranking government official in Baguio City indicted for drunk driving

Baguio City, Philippines – A high-ranking government official who was found drunk driving after a road skirmish happened on Tuesday night, June 10, in Baguio City did not escape accountability for his actions.

Baguio City top cop, PCol. Ruel Tagel, as cited by the Baguio City Information Office, revealed that the official was involved in a road tension with another government official around 9:10 p.m. on said date. The scene was caught by the City Mobile Force Company who referred the case to the BCPO Police Station 7.

While the police were investigating, the cop assigned for the case noticed intoxication from the said official and subjected him for Alcoholic Breath Test at the hospital. According to the report, it was later confirmed that the official was indeed intoxicated.

A case for violation of Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 was filed against the suspect, and the prosecutor-on-duty reinstated the case reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property even the aggrieved party retracted his complaint.

Moreover, the official has also been relieved from his position.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, meantime, deplored the apprehended official’s behavior, lamenting that the one who was supposed to uphold the law was the one who dishonored it.

"I am deploring this type of behavior – arrogance. It goes against the principle of good governance. Government officials should lead by example and this official clearly does not subscribe to that guidepost," he was quoted saying.