Greg's confusion delays Capitol bonuses

CEBU, Philippines – Confusion was blamed by Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez Jr. why he was late to sign the P114 million supplemental budget causing delay in the release of the Collective Negotiation Agreement bonus of the Capitol employees.

Sanchez said he was confused about his position when he presided over the September 13 session because he learned that Governor Gwendolyn Garcia left for Vietnam.

The law provides that when the governor is out of the country the vice-governor automatically takes over the reign. Sanchez said he believes he was acting governor during the time making him hesitant to attest the supplemental budget.

Had he been the acting governor when he presided the September 13 session all resolutions and ordinances approved by the board during the time were null and void.

Garcia blamed Sanchez for delaying the release of cash incentives of the Capitol employees. But, according to Sanchez, he signed the supplemental budget week after it was passed but Garcia was off for another trip to Russia. The governor left Monday afternoon.

Garcia and Sanchez belong to different political parties and have been openly at odds since late last year.

Sanchez earlier questioned some budget items claiming it to be a violation of the Department of Interior and Local Governments circular that requires full disclosure of projects.

Capitol employees are expected to get their cash incentives within the week. A senior staff at the office of the governor told The FREEMAN that after Sanchez signed the supplemental budget, the governor finally approved it also at her function outside the Capitol before she left for Russia.

The approved supplemental budget is the basis of the processing and the release of the cash incentives for Capitol employees.

The employees are expected to receive bonuses and incentives ranging from P8,000 to P25,000 each. (FREEMAN)