FIRST ON RADAR: DILG–MIMAROPA: Pegasus allows us to park there due to our limited office space

The agency calls it a practical way to make vehicles easily accessible—and prevent delays in public service.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government–MIMAROPA said Pegasus: The Ultimate Men’s Club in Quezon City allowed it to use part of its parking area because the regional office has limited parking space at its leased building.

In an Oct. 17 statement posted on Facebook, the regional office said it leases a private building at No. 822 Quezon Avenue in Barangay Paligsahan, beside Pegasus.

“Bagamat may nakalaang parking space sa basement ng gusali, sa oras ng trabaho ay pansamantalang inilalabas ang ilang sasakyan upang masiguro ang mabilis at maayos na paggamit sa mga ito sakaling kailangang bumiyahe para sa mga opisyal na gawain,” the DILG–MIMAROPA said. “Ito rin ay upang maiwasan ang posibleng pagkaantala dulot ng pagkakaharang ng iba pang sasakyang nakaparada sa basement.”

The office said it approached nearby establishments to request additional parking space, and Pegasus agreed to let it use a limited portion of its parking area near the regional office.

“Pagdating ng gabi, ang mga sasakyan ay ibinabalik at ipinaparada sa basement ng gusali. Lubos ang aming pasasalamat sa pamunuan ng PEGASUS sa kanilang konsiderasyon at pakikipagtulungan sa aming tanggapan,” the agency added.

The regional office also rejected suggestions that the parking arrangement was intended for personal use, saying the vehicles were temporarily moved to ensure they could be deployed without delay.

“[A]ng anumang pagpaparada ng sasakyan ng DILG sa parking area ng PEGASUS ay may lehitimong layunin at hindi dapat ipakahulugan bilang paggamit nito para sa pansariling kapakinabangan o para sa anumang layuning hindi naaayon sa tungkulin ng mga kawani ng pamahalaan,” the agency said.

“Ang ganitong sistema ay bahagi lamang ng praktikal na pagsasaayos ng paradahan upang matiyak na ang mga sasakyang ginagamit sa mga opisyal na gawain ay madaling ma-access at hindi maaantala ang paghahatid ng serbisyo publiko,” it added.

The DILG–MIMAROPA also stressed that it does not tolerate violations of laws, government policies, or ethical standards for public servants.

The clarification follows radar Business’ Oct. 14 report, showing a Toyota Innova with government plate SLC 974 parked outside Pegasus on Oct. 13 at around 10 a.m.

As an upscale gentleman’s club, Pegasus patrons consume premium beverages while female hostesses and dancers—typically dressed in revealing evening wear or bikinis—provide stage entertainment and paid table-side companionship.

Public officials in such settings are generally frowned upon, especially in a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines. Section 4(A)(c) of Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, states that public officials and employees “shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest.”

Government vehicles must be used strictly for official functions under the Administrative Code of 1987. Section 75 allows exceptions authorized by the President for officials who work extended hours or whose duties require special security arrangements.

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