At least 12 labor groups filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a joint criminal complaint against resigned 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.
Another complaint was soon after filed by party-list group GABRIELA against Tolentino. In a six-page complaint lodged before the Office of the Ombudsman, women’s party-list group Gabriela charged Tolentino of 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 for his alleged failure to stop the supposedly lewd dance performance of the group Playgirls. The same charges earlier filed by the labor groups.
The manager of the dance group that performed at a birthday party of a Liberal Party (LP) stalwart last week, however, said Tolentino should not be blamed for the controversy over the supposedly lewd performance.
“Walang kasalanan si Chairman Tolentino sa nangyari sa Laguna birthday celebration,” Playgirls’ manager Michael Tupaz said. “Nalulungkot ako sa nangyari kay Chairman Tolentino kasi wala siyang kasalanan sa pangyayari.”
But the complaint reads: “Respondent committed gross misconduct, that is corrupt, unprincipled, reprehensible, shocks the community’s sense of decency, offends the dignity of women and perpetuates or encourages the commodification of women, thus, making them liable under the law.”
Aside from Tolentino, also named as respondents in the complaint are John Does, or the persons who may be found liable by the Office of the Ombudsman at the course of the investigation of the complaint.
The complainants said that while Tolentino had already resigned from his post, he must still be held criminally liable as he was the MMDA chairman when the incident happened.
The 10-page complaint earlier filed by 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.
