Baquerfo demotes department heads allied with Granada

CEBU, Philippines - At least six department heads of former Tudela Mayor Demetrio Granada were demoted to lower positions following the assumption of Mayor Rogelio Baquerfo.

Former Municipal Agriculturist Victoria Nocellas, Agricultural Technologist Ruben Labayan and Municipal Accountant Marilyn del Socorro were relieved from their posts and were re-assigned to manage the town’s park and plaza together with Day Care Worker Isabel Polancos.

Likewise, Municipal Budget Officer Felicilda Sano and Assistant Municipal Treasurer Restituto Arguedo were booted out of their post and were made to do clerical jobs.

The six had sought the assistance of the Provincial Board, saying the reassignment was malicious and demoralizing.

“The memoranda issued seem not made in good faith. They are demoralizing and embarrassing to us government employees,” they said in their letter.

They said that while they acknowledge the prerogative of the mayor to reassign employees, their reassignment “seem very malicious, demoralizing, and embarrassing.”

They said their new positions are demoralizing because apart from them being dirty work, “we are now assigned to such menial jobs as those which can be done by any able-bodied individuals.”

The new assignments do not necessarily mean a diminution of ranks but they said, “in these cases we feel demoted, not in salaries but in our ranks.”

“We don’t even know as to why we are assigned to such tasks, demoralizing and embarrassing to us apolitical civil servants who have been working diligently in giving services to the general public for their welfare,” they said.

Baquerfo assumed as mayor of Tudela after a tug of war with Granada that reached the Court of Appeals, following allegations of cheating in the 2007 local elections.

Baquerfo announced earlier that about 80 job order personnel hired during Granada’s stint as mayor cannot get their salary for seven months reportedly for lack of funds. — Garry B. Lao/JMO   (THE FREEMAN)