Politicking

WHATEVER political undertakings are happening at the Provincial Capitol right now, one can never be sure of its fairness to the people holding positions there. Anything could unfold, and hit those who have never been politically involved since the time they worked with the government.

Take the case of the Capitol executives who are facing dismissal from office. The Ombudsman who ordered their dismissal found them “guilty of grave misconduct over the Balili lot purchase in 2008.” The Ombudsman ruled that the transaction was full of irregularities.

The conclusion was based on the fact that the Cebu province “had no funds at that time allocated to buy the property.” Thus, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales dismissed the respondents, except Gov. Garcia for having won reelection in 2010, and former Provincial Board member Juan Bolo, who is no longer with government.

The other respondents were dismissed from the service and all their benefits forfeited in favor of the government. Unfortunately, the officials are regular civil service people who have long been working in the Capitol.

The dismissal was too sudden and the officials were not made to answer the formal complaint. Provincial Budget Officer Emie Gingoyon said he has not answered a formal administrative complaint against him that is why he was surprised to learn about the Ombudsman’s ruling.

For his part, provincial assessor Anthony Sususco retired in March, 2012 after serving the Capitol for 40 years, one month and 15 days. Hence, he was not affected by the shakeup. But this proves the haste that the Ombudsman had prepared her case against the Capitol respondents.

“Based on the Capitol’s records as of Dec. 31 2012, Gingoyon has been with Capitol for 27 years, five months and 22 days. (Provincial Engineer Eulogio) Pelayre has been in the service for 26 years, four months and 13 days. Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre has worked for the province for 18 years, 11 months and 28 days.”

Their only sin they did against their civil service was becoming members of the Provincial Appraisal Committee.

The Ombudsman did not push through with the administrative cases against the technical working group who were all personnel, too, of the Capitol, probably because they were quite numerous and members, too, of the Provincial Board. That would make too many votes to lose for whoever had put Carpio-Morales on the heels of those involved in the Balili lot purchase case.

But kidding aside, think of the injustice against “innocent” government workers who would lose their jobs.