Monday, November 03, 2008 PCGG chairman ends 'indefinite leave'
EMPLOYEES of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) are keenly anticipating the flag raising ceremony today, Monday.
Last Friday, PCGG Chairman Camilo Sabio who goes on an "indefinite leave" effective September 29 reported back to his office and promised to start work Monday.
Several employees of the commission who refused to be identified expressed surprise on Friday's "sudden reappearance" of Sabio who decided to cut short his leave of absence and reassumed the top post in the PCGG.
"We were really surprised. We thought he (Sabio) was on leave, that is why we are going to wait what will happen this Monday," said one employee.
"He has no delicadeza. Let Justice Secretary (Raul) Gonzales resolve the new impasse in the commission created by him. Whether Sabio will follow or defy Gonzales that we don't know," said another employee.
Sabio resurfaced at the PCGG office at 12 noon Friday and told employees to go home since work had been declared only for half day.
He also announced that since his indefinite leave of absence was voluntary he decided to cut it short and reassume his post.
Sabio's reappearance came as a surprise for the employees who were earlier told by PCGG officer-in-charge Narciso Nario that there is no announcement yet from Malacañang whether work has been declared a half day.
Earlier, Nario had asked the employees, who were expecting that they be sent home by noon to prepare for the All Saints' Day commemoration, to stay put in the office and wait for Malacanang official decision.
Nario meanwhile made it clear that he is ready to step down and hand over to Sabio the chairmanship but this should be under official directive either from Malacanang or the Department of Justice (DOJ).
He added that he already talked to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales about the matter who vowed to resolve the matter on Monday.
But he stressed that he will stay put as advised until the official order revoking his designation as OIC had been issued.
President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo designated Nario as PCGG OIC last September 29 after Sabio filed an indefinite leave of absence to face the disbarment proceeding against him.
The issue is concerning on his supposed role in the bribery scandal in the controversial case between the Lopez-owned utility firm Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Sabio's brother, Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Jose Sabio Jr., was reprimanded by the Supreme Court (SC) for his involvement in the GSIS-Meralco mess.
PCGG chairman Sabio has made known that he will be attending Monday's flag-raising ceremony while indicating that he will announce some changes at the commission.
He also directed the commission secretary to calendar an en banc meeting on Tuesday, which he said he would preside.
According to Nario, the order of Sabio to call a meeting was "usurpation of authority."
"He directly defies the President's order when she appointed me as OIC. What he did is also a direct insubordination to Secretary Gonzales, who is our immediate authority," Nario said.
"I'll stay put and act as OIC of PCGG unless the President orders me to step down." he added.
Last year, Arroyo, through an executive order (EO), placed PCGG under the direct supervision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) with the objective to hasten the resolution of hundreds of pending ill-gotten wealth cases of the Marcoses here and abroad.
Justice Undersecretary Felix Exconde, chief of staff of Secretary Gonzalez, said the department was not aware of any order from the President for Sabio to report back to work.
Gonzales admitted that Sabio's issuance of orders and directives will create confusion.
The PCGG is currently in the middle of legal court battle to recover alleged ill-gotten wealth of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family and cronies here and abroad. (AH/Sunnex)
