Vice mayor terminates secretary

Monday, February 20, 2012

THE Office of the Vice Mayor imposed the penalty of dismissal from service with the cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service against City Council secretary lawyer Nilo Alejandrino.

In a decision dated February 16, 2012 issued by the Disciplining Authority of the City Cuncil, Alejandrino was found liable for grave misconduct, abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming and unprofessional conduct arising from a complaint filed by Councilor Caesar Distrito.

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An order was served to the parties of the case to submit position paper within five days.

Alejandrino requested for and was granted an extension to file his position paper but he still failed to submit it and the same was considered as a waiver on his part.

The decision stated that there was an abuse of authority and misconduct when the respondent altered, erased and changed the name of lawyer Joselito T. Bayatan into “Casual Employee” in the notices of hearings of Distrito.

It said that City Ordinance 107, Series of 1993 does not give him the prerogative of changing or altering the notices of hearings, which is beyond his functions.

Also, when he changed and altered the names in the notices of hearings, he encroached upon the duties and prerogatives of the complainant and exceeded his functions.

The decision also said that Alejandrino is liable for grave misconduct, abuse of authority, conduct unbecoming and unprofessional conduct when he shouted at and humiliated Distrito, telling the latter that he can do whatever he wants and that he can change the names in the notices.

The decision stated that Alejandrino is liable when he mocked the physical disability of Distrito.

The decision said the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons prohibits any person from shouting or insulting words imputing to the disability of a person.

The decision discussed the action of Alejandrino when he threw a chair at Distrito which he denied. The disciplining authority said that the testimonies of the witnesses presented by the complainant are heavier than the denial and the lone testimony of Alejandrino’s witness which was identified not present during the incident.

The decision likewise approved and adopted the report and recommendations of the Investigating Committee and mentioned that an administrative case for tardiness, absences and falsified entries in Alejandrino’s daily time record was filed against him on July 26, 2007 and he was admonished by the Disciplining Authority. (Carla N. Canet)