MANILA -- The Bureau of Customs Port of Cebu conducted last Tuesday, July 27, a Webinar on “Crimes and Felonies Committed by Public Officers.” Customs officers from all divisions and offices of the Port attended the webinar, which is part of the Port’s continuing education initiatives for integrity development, values transformation, and capacity building, under the Performance Governance System (PGS).

The Port invited the Acting Chairperson of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, Hon. Reynold S. Munsayac, as resource speaker. Atty. Munsayac is a seasoned litigator, an esteemed member of the academe, a respected leader, and an advocate for good governance. He discussed crimes and felonies that may be committed by public officers especially those that constitute acts of graft and corruption in the performance of public functions. He also discussed the legal repercussions of various violations by public officers.

For his part, Port of Cebu District Collector Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, in his welcome remarks, emphasized the importance for public officers to be updated and reminded on these matters.

“Ignorance of the law excuses no one,” he said, reminding the attendees of this key legal principle. The District Collector explained that learning about crimes committed by public officers will help customs officers of the Port to avoid inadvertently falling into this trap of ignorance.

“When we are well-informed of these crimes—these things we should not do, we can then focus on the things we should do and be more at ease in our decision-making, fully aware of that moral and legal line that we must not cross,” said District Collector Mendoza.

The Webinar is in line with the effort to cultivate good governance—one of the key elements of PGS, through advancing the Bureau’s values of professionalism, integrity, and accountability among its people. (BOC)