So job order workers can be paid: 2 Tudela "mayors" agree to put up bond for salaries

CEBU - Rogelio Baquerfo and Demetrio Granada, who are both claiming to be the duly elected mayor of Tudela town, Camotes Island, yesterday agreed to put up a bank bond as payment for the salaries of their job order workers who have been unpaid for several months due to the stalemate in the mayoralty.

This came after Baquerfo and Granada separately met with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol yesterday and discussed issue of 102 unpaid job order workers detailed in the offices of two “mayors.”

There are 52 job order workers hired by Baquerfo, who are yet to receive their salaries since July.

The 50 job order workers appointed by Granada have not been paid since September.

The job orders workers have a daily salary of P115 for specific projects.

The bond would ensure that the public funds are protected while Granada and Baquerfo continue with their legal battle over the mayoral post.

In the May 2007 elections, Baquerfo was declared the winner by eight votes, but Granada, who was then the incumbent mayor, filed an election protest.

   After a recount, Danao City RTC Judge Edito Enemecio ruled that Granada won by 13 votes.   In an interview with reporters, Baquerfo promised to post a bond.

“Mo-bond lang ta aron masulbad nang problema sa mga workers,” Baquerfo said, adding that the scheme would be a “win-win” solution for both of them while the court has yet to resolve their election case.

As to the amount of the bond, both camps have to wait for instruction from the provincial treasurer’s office, but there are estimates that they have to put up about P100,000 for each month.

Tudela ABC president Greman “Jojo” Solante said that putting up a bond by both camps is more practical and safe.

Solante, who is an ally of Granada, sits as an ex-officio member of the council.

Last Saturday, more than 50 regular and casual town workers already received their salaries after the governor signed the vouchers for the release of salaries worth P3 million.

The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas recently suggested that Governor Garcia sign the town’s payroll.

The Land Bank refused to release funds for the salaries while Baquerfo and Granada are fighting over the town’s mayoralty.

Garcia said the vouchers she signed would be for the payment of the town’s maintenance and operating expenses.

The employees, however, received their salaries last week after Gov. Garcia signed the checks. — Garry B. Lao/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)