Personnel inventory: Greg's staff cry "harassment"

CEBU, Philippines – Personnel at the Office of the Vice Governor complained of harassment after they were targeted for a surprise personnel inventory in which three of their personnel were found "unaccounted for".

An employee of the Office of the Vice Governor who requested anonymity said the inspectors came and identified themselves as coming from the Civil Service Commission-7. They were then told to sit down in their respective workplaces as the inspectors listed who was there and who was not.

The employee said inspection was conducted while the Provincial Board session was going on but another said it was done around close to lunchtime.

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez yesterday said that the personnel inventory was not only a form of harassment against his staff but also an act of disrespect to him as head of the Legislative department by virtue of the separation of powers between the Executive and Legislative branches.

Capitol consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda yesterday admitted that he was the one who ordered the provincial Human Resource Office to conduct a random audit of Capitol employees to see if they were indeed working. But he also clarified that he did not order the HRO to target the Office of the Vice Governor in particular.

It was later learned that three of the staff of the Vice Governor's office were listed as "unaccounted for" as they were not in their respective workplaces when the random audit was done.

There was also no trip ticket, travel order or pass slip found which could prove that these employees were on an official business outside their office.

Sepulveda declined to release their names yesterday but assured that the result of the report will be released today. He also said those found "unaccounted for" will be made to explain their absences.

"We have a way of determining asa atong workforce," Sepulveda said.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the personnel inventory is also an effort to improve government services.

She said that the move is a form of good governance to make sure that Capitol employees are really in their working places during work hours.

In fact, the Governor also added that when a random audit of employees was also conducted last year and it was found that there were five employees of the Office of the Vice Governor who were made to work in his private farm in Tuburan town.

She adds that the random audit of personnel was again suggested because there was already a precedent. (FREEMAN)