A government worker at city hall was caught playing a computer game during working hours in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
On November 25, Facebook user Juan Ybanag posted videos showing a male city hall employee playing on a computer while on duty.
Ybanag geotagged the location at the city hall in Tuguegarao City.
“Good morning, Tweraw [Tuguegarao]. Ganito ang mga empleyado ng City Hall. Oras ng trabaho, oras ng laro,” he wrote on Facebook at 9:25 a.m. on November 25.
“Philippine Civil Service Commission, paki naman po,” Ybanag added, tagging the Facebook page of the government agency in charge of promoting morale, efficiency, integrity, and progressiveness in the Civil Service.
Apart from playing, the videos also showed the city hall employee wearing slippers.
Government workers, especially those assigned to city halls, are expected to appear professional at all times. This includes wearing proper footwear while on duty.
The post later made its way to a Reddit community, where it earned around 2,000 upvotes.
“Naka tsinelas pa ata. Sa bahay na lang siya sana, ganun din naman,” a Redditor wrote.
Another Reddit user claimed that the employee may have been playing “Zenless Zone Zero,” an action role-playing game.
“Ang tindi, open na open pa talaga ang paglalaro niya,” a different Reddit user commented.
Others shared similar experiences with individuals in public service.
“I remember when my car got clamped and I had to go to the nearest police station to process the release. Spent half an hour waiting for the guy to process me because he was literally playing a mobile game in front of me,” a Redditor said.
“Something is really wrong with public service culture. It’s synonymous with light work, low quality and low effort,” the Reddit user added.
“Nearly a decade ago nga, we saw policemen watch p*rn sa police station mismo,” a Reddit user wrote.
“City Hall rin dito samin, puro chismisan at ginawang palengke ng mga staff ‘yung office. Makikita mo nakaangat pa paa sa upuan,” another Redditor said.
“One time during my OJT [on-the-job training] as a customs administration student, nakita ko ‘yung dalawang employee ng Bureau sa Anti‑Illegal Drugs Task Force na nag do-Dota,” a Reddituser, referencing a popular multiplayer online game.
Government workers, according to the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, are expected to show “commitment to public interest” and “professionalism,” among others.
“All government resources and powers of their respective departments, offices and agencies must be employed and used efficiently, effectively, honestly, and economically, particularly to avoid wastage in public funds and revenues,” the code states.
“Officials and employees shall perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence, and skill. They shall enter public service with utmost devotion and dedication to duty. They shall endeavor to discourage wrong perceptions of their roles as dispensers or peddlers of undue patronage,” it added.
