CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- A Provincial Board (PB) official branded as "childish" a circulating text message regarding the non-usage of biometrics by some of the legislative staff.
The text message, received by Sun.Star Pampanga and many employees of the Provincial Government, particularly the PB staff from an unidentified texter, read as: "So Unfair! Bakit yung employees ng VGov at SP di gumagamit ng biometrics? Yung iba pa nga less dan 8 hrs lang nasa trabaho."
The unidentified number, which Sun.Star Pampanga tried to text back and call for several times but did not reply, furthered: "Leyt na nga dumating, maaga pang umuuwi? May sarili ba silang gobyerno?"
Even Governor Eddie Panlilio said he received the same message on Monday morning but denied the text message emanated from his office or staff.
"This is what I have been talking about. Many employees here have noticed that too. So shall we also give them the extra cash bonus they are asking for?" Panlilio stated.
But a ranking PB official, who asked not to be named, branded the text message as "childish" and an unproductive move.
"I am sure the text message emanated from the executive and their staff. Sa kanila rin galing iyun. But they should know that the legislative is separate from the executive and we are not required to submit ourselves and the PB staff to biometrics," the official said.
He said the allegations were without basis.
"You know, many of their staff use biometrics. Magta-time in sila then leave and come back later para mag-time out. Baka hindi nila alam iyun. They keep on pointing fingers at us while they can't even control and monitor their own people. Wala kaming sariling gobyerno. Besides, iba ang trabaho namin sa SP. Wla kaming pending na trabaho dito" said the official.
Earlier, Vice Governor Joseller "Yeng" Guiao said that biometrics and attendance could not be used as basis for performance and employee evaluation just to get the controversial and unreleased bonuses of Capitol employees.
"It's the output and result. Like we at my office and the PB, we have our accomplishment reports and have nothing pending," he said.
Staff and employees of the PB refused to comment on the matter and many opined that the text message was simply meant to "draw attention" away from the demanded release of the Christmas bonuses.